23. Are the Homeless Crazy?

In this essay Jonathan Kozol adresses the misconceptions of being homeless, where he targets the belief that the primary source of Americn homelessness is the lack of mental institutions. He begins by analyzing the perspective of those who work among the homeless, who have testified that the biggest discrepancy between the homeless and "normal people" are their economic conditions, which in turn, reflect on their mental stability. According to these workers, the growth of the homeless population was started by the lack of industrial jobs and the continuous growth of cities. The picture these workers portray look beyond the diagnosis of psychiatrists, revealing the economic hardship faced daily in America. Furthermore, Kozol addresses the fact that the media portrays and objectifies the homeless as "mentally disabled," they create an identity which reflects upon the whole population of the homeless based off of the disabilities of a minority. This identity, nevertheless, is taboo in many societies and is a way in which Americans can live their lives guilt-free by pursuing no real solution. Kozol continues his essay by analyzing how this misconception can be let go, introducing figures which statistically oppose the belief that all homeless people are mentally handicap. He presents evidence indicative that homelessness was not caused by a mental handicap, rather by the lack of housing due to extreme urbanization. The mental handicap, he points out, is usually acquired when the person was already on the streets from the intolerable conditions they live in and society's own agenda:building luxurious apartments and offices. He ends the article by questioning what society is doing to help and how we deceive ourselves from listening to the pleas of reality.

This article is very well elaborated, attacking the different logical fallacies society has when it comes to arguing that the homeless have mental issues. Kozol uses clear language and clear transitions to create a smooth flow to his essay while including abundant evidence. Although at times he is repetitive, his arguments build upon each other for emphasis of the demeaning identity society has adopted of the homeless. Furthermore, his evidence is well backed up and analyzed, giving credibility to his writing while also compelling the author by means of appealing to their emotions and logic. The statistics of the homeless, young mothers appeal to human vulnerability and the desire for the well being of mothers and children. The author follows a clear thesis and is able to elaborate on the subject by countering opposing arguments and analyzing logically the information he presents. He also attacks a subject which in many ways is taboo in American society, challenging mainstream misconceptions and creating life to the cause of the homeless. When the author addresses the objectification of the homeless, he pleads for the rights the homeless have as humans, and not as inanimate objects. Thus, he is able to relate to these people and appeal to the reader by challenging society to change its view of the homeless and lend a hand to them.