Why Should Anyone Care?

 Part One: 

1. A problem that I think needs to be solved is homelessness. I was just in Phoenix last weekend, and it made me realize how oblivious I am to major issues. I saw the same people all three days I was there. They mainly roamed the same places and all had the same sad expressions. I think that there needs to be more resources for homeless people especially in major cities that can afford it. 

Companion: You don't think you could ever really do anything about it, do you? 

Me: Yes, I think that whatever you can do to help is beneficial, wether you can contribute in a big or small way. 

Companion: How would you personally contribute? 

Me: A major thing I could do is make meals, and fill ziplock bags with essentials and hand them out. Spreading the word and taking actions towards solving a problem will encourage ethers to do so. 

Companion: But there are so many homeless people, how would you help all of them? 

Me: Completely solving the issue will take time, I am hoping that by taking small steps, government officials and people of power will see our progress, and it will encourage them to contribute tot he cause.

2.  Pollen uses many rhetorical devices like humor and analogies to engage the reader. Pollen answers his own questions by giving examples of his actions compared to the actions of others. He also talks about the rewards he feels by contributing to creating a better world. Pollen shares both the positive and negative things that come with change with mentally and physically. 

3. I think that specialization is referring to peoples ability to view themselves as special and superior than others. Specialization then leads people to ignore and be unintentionally oblivious to major issues. I think that in order to become a better society we need to stop being so self absorbed. We live in a very materialistic and fast society which can make it easy to get caught up in your own little bubble. Once we realized we are all people doing the beset we can with what we are given we will be much kinder and generous towards each other. 

4. Pollen does use subjective language however he also does a good job of providing objective examples to back up his point. I think we can learn the benefit of incorporating the personal stories and experiences of others in a persuasive essay. I still am not sure what I want my topic to be. My goal is to clearly address a specific problem and provide good example of how to solve it on both a large and small scale. 

Part Two: 

    I want to continue to write about homelessness. I think that this is often a forgotten about issue in America. We like to think that we have everything together and are a prospering nations however, homelessness is major problem especially in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. A lot of times people who are homeless lack the funds, and access to resources necessary to help themselves. Mental health and drug use is also a major problem with the homeless population. I think that every major city should have a homeless shelter, with free meals, and basic hygiene essentials provided. It is also important to make sure that people have access to medicine and mental health counseling. The homeless population represents a failure in American politics. There are plenty of jobs, plenty of money, and people willing to help, we just need to make a plan and stick to it. A source that can help my readers understand this issue and make a positive impact is https://nationalhomeless.org/get-involved/ this website shares ways to contribute to the cause, wether its through donation, advocacy, or education.