A Formerly Homeless Person’s Guide for Journalists Covering Homelessness
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- In this powerful first episode of a three-part series on journalism and homelessness, we sit down with Shawn Pleasants, a Yale graduate and former business owner who experienced homelessness while living in a tent in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Shawn's life was dramatically impacted when a CNN story brought attention to his situation. This podcast goes beyond Shawn's personal journey-it's a vital training tool for journalists on how to cover homelessness with respect, empathy, and dignity.
Shawn shares his firsthand experiences with journalists and explains the importance of treating homeless people not as statistics or subjects, but as human beings. "If you're willing to tell our story, you need to meet us where we are. Sit with us, understand us, and be patient. That’s how you tell an authentic story,” he says.
This episode highlights why it’s essential for journalists to approach people with lived experiences of homelessness with compassion and understanding. Shawn reflects on how harmful narratives and disrespectful treatment can reinforce stigma, while respectful reporting can build trust and change lives. "The words you choose shape how people see us-and how we see ourselves."
By listening to the voice of lived experience, this episode provides invaluable lessons for journalists on how to report on homelessness in a way that honors the dignity and humanity of those affected. It’s not just a podcast for journalists, but for anyone looking to understand the deeper truths of homelessness and the power of storytelling to create change.
Video referenced in the podcast:
Ktown for All Helping Homeless People in Los Angeles’s Koreatown • Ktown for All Helping ...
Executive producer: Mark Horvath
Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / alexgasaway
Associate producer: Erin McGinnis
Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis
RUclips Podcast bit.ly/4bHgCEu
Apple Podcast apple.co/4cckQ86
Spotify spoti.fi/3XyM98c
Amazon Music amzn.to/3zbPu39
iHeartRadio bit.ly/4cciTZy
More:
Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness • Illegal to Sleep: Gran...
Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How (Spoiler: It's More Than Housing First) • Finland Solved Homeles...
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About Invisible People
There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.
We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.
This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you.
However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now.
Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.
As a senior with lived experience I really enjoyed this interview. The misconceptions about "the homeless" is huge and we need our stories told from our personal point of view. I've been housed now for 2 years, but it was a 2 year waiting list for the senior housing I now have. I was in a motel, in my van, on couches(for a few days here and there), riding public buses and trains, in Project Roomkey during the pandemic (which was like being in solitary confinement with restrictions) Not one agency found me housing resources, it was just a dead end for help. The rent for so many people is so high, and not everyone is on drugs or mentally ill.
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This is one of the best interviews on homelessness. He is articulating it so well. They have street rules… I never heard someone speak about the tax,…
Hopefully this informs journalists, politicians, homeless service providers, healthcare providers, realtors, realestate moguls, law enforcement and NIMBYs. The dehumanization of those who happen to be unhoused is astounding. Infuriating, heartbreaking and astounding. Excellent interview, my friend. 🙏🏽❤️
Thank you, Kim. I really appreciate all that you've done for us!
Go Shawn! Brilliant, excellently elucidated, you never fail to impress me. And of course, go KTown4All!
Bless you, Shawn, for persevering, learning, and giving this important perspective. Thank you for sharing your story and doing your advocacy work.
Shawn, thank you for your wisdom. All the best to you -- thank you for teaching me things that will help me become a better person.
This is really wonderful Shawn. I'm so proud of you and even more proud to call you a dear friend.
Thank you for continuing to share your powerful story, Shawn! Your voice and story are both incredibly important.
Fantastic interview. Thank you so much! What a beatiful soul. All the best ❤
What a great interview! I'd like to know more about what happened with the car tickets and other tickets - because that's one example of the poverty trap people get into - government debts can't even be discharged in bankruptcy - when you're sick and can't work, the only response society often has is to add more weight.
Thanks for the kind words. We have other videos that highlight on that topic, but I’m going to take your feedback that we need to do more
This happened to us twice. The tickets multiplied to $1,600, and the first time, we were able to pay them with the help of my father and a cousin. The next time we decided to let it go to auction and see if we could buy it for less than the tickets. Unfortunately, we were outbid by a buyer from "Pick-A-Part." For the first time, we slept unsheltered, and a whole new chapter of danger began. Without the car, we were robbed in our sleep, stabbed, and beaten a few times!
@@ShawnPleasants does the city still claim you owe them for the tickets, even though they impounded and sold your car?
So glad you are no longer homeless ❤
This is a great interview!! Thanks!!
Outstanding interview!
Your story, Shawn, does my heart so much good! Thank you gentlemen for putting another face to the homeless tragedy! I have been homeless myself, my daughter Christina Ra'e was murdered while being trafficked due to being homeless. Her murder investigation is filled with disrespect and a complete lack of concern towards her loss. To the point of listing her death as self inflicted, even though her COD was g*nshot wound to the chest (no weapon or búllet found). The only reason it was finally turned into a homicide was because the man who took her was found in the same location with another woman whom had lost her life to his hands. The case has been swept under the rug, it is not even two cases; it is being tried as one case! I've never even heard my daughter's name during proceedings... I am struggling with everything, mentally, spiritually, every way possible. However, I still fight. I fight for the homeless, for those whose voices aren't being heard. I needed to see this today. Thank you!
I am so glad you were able to see this when you needed to. Our voices are powerful and can someday bring about real change.
@@ShawnPleasants that's what I strive for every single day now. We are building a village now; and with that, education, love, and connection. Thank you for sharing your voice, the effects are far more reaching than any of us will ever truly understand!
@@ShawnPleasants
Hi Mr. Pleasants, my name is Ali and I just wanted to thank you first off for having the courage & vulnerability to share your beautiful story.
I actually had one question: is there a public-facing email address you are comfortable being contacted by us strangers through?
I only ask because some of my friends & I are working on a nonprofit project about homelessness in Silicon Valley, and we needed help with some questions regarding the broader problems of unhoused life in the U.S., but I didn’t want to carry on conversing in these comments since RUclips has a habit of deleting the dang things all the time😅
In any case: thanks for your reply, and my congratulations & deepest prayers again on your continued success moving forward
- Ali
This is a wonderful interview, Shawn, so proud of you. xxxlaurie
Thank you, Laurie. i will never forget that you were amongst the first to reach out to us. That love and support made it possible for me to accept the help that was offered and take a chance!
❤
I have to search for your videos I'm subscribed they used to pop up all the time it's a subject that really interests me cuz I'm going to be one of them unless they lower the rent prices I will be a 62 year old one-legged homeless man
I called A Place North Spruce Apartments they say I don't make enough money and I'm on Section 8 and I have credit I don't know how but I have barely 680 until I get evicted and I have none
And they accept Section 8 the next department wants 1800.00 first month when you're on Section 8 that had to be a scam I think Facebook is a scam and a lot of apartments are on there
I cannot believe how hard it is to find a place to live. Especially when I have section 8 working against me not for me they work for my landlord. I have ridden my electric bike to Rochester from Batavia looking for a place to live. My landlord used to be the head of the GOP no wonder they don't make him fix anything his name is on my ballot I saved it. I actually was kicked out for asking to have the rotting porch fixed that people went through the Kids Foot went through the porch my neighbors upstairs. As soon as I said something he said well you're going to have to move he's told me in the past if I complain he will throw me out like the garbage I intend to find the tapes I'm done with this I'm just I don't I can't even find a room.. I'm angry PathStone / Section 8 Pat stone is another company that's worth 46 billion dollars it's nothing but crooked it's a giant scam. It's supposed to be quality housing at an affordable price for the poor it's for the rich people to let you live in a slum which is barely livable and collect all that money and never fix anything. They want more rent money that's another reason they want me out they also lied and said they're selling the house when they're not. I've been here 16 years I raised my son who is not with me anymore in this house through the living hell of co-parenting with the demons. This county is so bad they let her bury my son without me when I raised him they hid it from me they buried my son 200 miles away I just raised him when I called welfare they said it's private the Indigent death form it was on there where he was being buried so yes they helped hide my son's funeral for me that's how this County does things if you think they care about homeless people no they don't there's a shelter if its 10 degrees or lower for Women and Children First at a church in the Salvation Army that's all there is. If you're homeless in this County you're going to die. I have been homeless I have crawled in people's basements when it was minus 10 degrees in Oakfield New York so I could not die I don't know who they were I was Hard to Love by the hot water heater and I can hear people upstairs walking around and I probably could have got arrested for trying to save my own life that's how bad it is in Genesee County when I was 16 I almost died couldn't get any help wake up telling me go to a shelter well I used to party a lot I don't do it anymore. People don't care about human life anymore you can tell which side they're on if they have no Humanity they're on Trump's side they call you a snowflake I'm awoken that's so messed up our world is so messed up. They need to cap the rents cap the rent cap the rent greedy people if you're not rich you're not going to get an apartment anymore. And if you find a crappy one like I did they will scam you and make you pay $1,800 and then you can get it and if you don't then you're not going to get it and you should not have to pay first month's rent when you're on Section 8 but that's what the Facebook landlord was telling me people have been robbed on Facebook I don't even know if it was a scam but I looked at the dump. It is a scam if you're on Section 8 and they're telling you to pay $1,800 first month and security for a place that's not even livable barely. I wish I could show you it maybe I can they left a piano in it maybe you can search it 304 Washington Batavia I couldn't get up the steps on my crutches I can't wear my leg I don't have help so I can get surgery I can't get a personal care aide not in Genesee County. I already wrote a book and they would not let me post it yes I feel bad for the homeless Americans I do not feel bad for the homeless people running across the border sorry it's going to affect everyone in the United States including me to be homeless while they got at least a tenth which is really shity but they don't build a tent for people in the United States do they? What the hell is wrong with our country and I don't know if I believe the story Trump stopped the vote from going through the house it might be something he would do but why isn't Kamala saying damn it I'm going to stop people running across the border save my country but no so either side sucks to me that's the way I feel there's absolutely no Humanity in Trump barely any with the other side because she don't care about us she's not going homeless oh Let's Help every country on earth except our own why can't the rents maybe she's getting some of the money
Where do you live?
❤❤❤❤❤ keep it up
Thank you Jesus for answered prayers 🙏🙏💞
💔It is not easy being human...
Great interview..you need to get a lawyer on the show to talk about the legal rights of the homeless..this issue is not being discussed
I'm not a superhero. I am a man. I am flesh and bone. I want to love and be loved. I am vulnerable. Many attitudes are very hard toward me. Where is the love ...
People accept the humiliation and opinions of others who say they don't deserve to ask for the help they need nor deserve to have a choice of what type of help they will accept. You need to have good self-esteem and self-confidence. You need to fight to get what you need. Many of them can't because they aren't fighters. They will take whatever someone will give, and it is usually the wrong thing. Then they get lured into trafficking situations and all sorts of other predatory situations.
Tip: "ended up" implies no further progress. He obviously did not end there. He found himself in a homeles state. But its not the "end."
Epitelus archizoume tha milame gia themata pou echoun simasia kai ochi gia pellares opos red carpet ...
Who dress how ? who eat what ? who goes where ? who sleep with who ? ...etc .
WHO IS REALLY INTERESTED IN THESE SUBJECTS ???
Question : why we do not see those subjects ( subjects that really matters on tv ? )
I’m very worried about your health!! Have watched you for as long as you’ve been on UTube..!! For good reason.. but back to you-you’re way overweight-cut the dairy, sugar and wheat
Otherwise you’re heading into a stroke or heart attack… a stroke you can ( hopefully) survive-but a heart attack is way more serious!! The heart does not re-heal itself! Don’t buy it when people tell you that you’re looking great! Only you put whatever goes into your mouth. If you have a choice , always eat fat instead of sugar. Fat feeds the brain and sugar goes straight into visceral storage and does NOT become energy. Me: now CNA-my favorite half brother is my favorite but he has multiple problems-huge problems. At one point, I actually ‘became’ homeless so that I could find him-while sleeping in my father’s car. I did find out what it means to be ‘homeless’!! Right now I don’t have cash to hire you to find this brother of mine-but would you be interested
All between LA, Boston,
Virginia….
Wow. You don't owe CNN your SSN, nor anything else. They don't have to fact-check you, especially since most viewers attention spans are so short, they're not really listening anyway. If they found you on the street, they should have just said, "He says his name is... He says his story is..." and left it at that.
You also owed those cops absolutely nothing. Not a smile, not a handshake, not your signature (that they could then use to forge your name on anything with)... Not one thing at all. That was a teachable moment for them, and they ought to have just left you alone. It's too late for them, in my book. I hate them. They're evil. They're not "ok" at all. They're the psychos who need help.
God sent her to you because God loves you God wanted to help you God loves all his children.
vacations are what working people do for a break from working. Why do homeless who never work need or deserve a vacation?
Hi David, When you're homeless you have to get up early so you don't get in the way of the shops or workers starting their day, or you have to move to avoid the authorities chucking all your possessions in the bin. Also, with shelter life, shelters have all these rules, standing in line at a certain time or you may not even get a spot, it may be freezing outside, then when you're inside & spent the night they often kick everybody out early. Imagine repeating that everyday, & skipping many meals, nothing would suck more.
He said when you're homeless you don't get VACATION DAYS meaning you don't get any days off or days to rest. You're always dealing with the difficulties of being homeless, you're always unsafe, you're always worried.
Why identification of people I'd this....thru want what they want when they want it ...and they won't care about you or your needs
This guy not so bright. It took over a yr living in a car to know he was homeless.
Homelessness is something we don’t want to accept. I was on the streets and would not accept I was homeless for a very long time.
Time stamp 2:13 he said “my husband and I”. Did I hear that correctly?
Yes.