Symbolic Interactionism In Dead White Men And Other Important People

What if I told you that we have more in common than we think, like how we all speak a universal language? You may think that’s impossible. Symbolic Interactionism focuses interactions and communicating we have developed with common symbols and shared meanings. Ethnomethodology tells us how and why. Shining a light on the symbolic meanings that are connected to homelessness in California gives a window into their perspectives and the social phenomenon around homelessness.

In the book, Dead White Men and Other Important People, the scene in Chapter 7 the main character Mila is riding around the city in a taxi with the window down, lights flashing, traffic beaming, people interacting, while the world passes by. Mila is witnessing many shocking

For example, a student is called out in class and the professor ask you a thought provoking question that makes you ponder and analyze, the interpretation of the question influences the students response and how they present themselves while address the question. All of these interactions are common practices between us. Homeless people have similar and varying unique interactions that are common to their circumstances. The bond and support they build within their own community is connected, they share information on resources, they provide emotional support to one another and help each other in day to day life struggles, they relate and share common ground. Some of them engage in begging and panhandling to survive, this involves also engaging with those in public. This engagement in particular is what can lead to interactions with the law. The homeless community engages more with the police or public service officers more than those that are housed. This symbolic interaction is influenced by the power dynamics there is a lack of interpretation to each others needs or meaning to symbols or response. Endomethodoly helps us understand how and why. Caliifonia Police are trained to protect and serve all communities. Some homeless view the police as a safety source and protection, someone to rely on for

There is a sense of classism that unhoused people are less than. This instances are far off from the truth, as I noticed during 2020 the increase in population of homeless people on the street of LA, majority of the increase was due to the significant rise in unemployment and lack of affordable housing, i. With endless time and resourses, I could not just couldn’t sleep at night knowing they were now completely shut out from the world with the virus lurking and them at the bottom of the resource list. I felt the need to supply healthy nutrition to them along with a social distanced smile. I gathered all of my connections within my business colleagues as well as family and friends to assemble and help cook and we all went out to feed over 4000 homeless people all over LA over the course of 2020 and 2022. Locally I went to children’s and mental hospitals and sponsored a vegan ice cream days, partnered together with a brand who focused on organic healthy goodness packed with nutrients and antioxidants, we helped donate to over 40 hospitals across the USA. Looking back at that time where I had nothing but time to give back, I learned that when you embrace compassion and respect for community it creates healthy relationships, it uplifts and supports everyone in society including those who are unhoused. I believe in community