People often look at individuals experiencing homelessness as though there is something wrong with the person, or that they should stop begging and get a job.

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However, this sort of person-blame approach to a societal problem is severely detrimental to social evolution. The idea that one can simply pull themselves up by their bootstraps is rampant within the working class. This perpetuates the illusion that an individual is completely in control of their situation and is provided with the same set of tools to succeed as every other individual.

The reality of the situation is that many Americans are living just one financial hardship away from being homeless themselves. One major medical bill that isn't covered by insurance and losing your job can happen at a moment's notice. Pressure from the societal systems in place can cause an individual to lose everything they own in a terrifyingly short amount time. I know this to be true because it is an experience I lived with for many years after departing from the military in 2010.

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I lost my job early in 2011, and very quickly after that I became homeless with nothing to my name. I was unable to pay rent, so I lost my place to call home. I could no longer afford car payments, so I lost my vehicle. Finding food to eat became a struggle. The woman I loved soon thereafter left me for another person. I spent months looking for work to no avail. I was ragged, dirty, and tired. Every potential employer could see through the facade I put on each time I'd ask for an application. My hours spent awake became riddle with drugs just to cope with being alive, with being trapped in a situation I had little control over. I would go days without eating, spending what little money I could scrounge up on drugs so that I could ignore my situation through the use of different chemicals.

Nearly five years of my life was off and on homelessness due to the inability to establish myself in society with the lack of support in my life. The only reason that I am as successful as I am currently is because I was given the assistance I needed to get back on my feet. Being given a helping hand up allowed me to establish my housing, and maintain my mental and physical health. Now I am a full time student maintaining a 3.9 GPA and I am no longer addicted to drugs.

Chronic homelessness is a problem that many Americans face on a day to day basis, and its not entirely their fault. The system we all are a part of largely, if not entirely, impacts the outcomes of the situations we each experience. Thus, the importance of evaluating, understanding, and revolutionizing the flaws within our system which develop into chronic ails throughout society becomes undeniable.

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