Who's guilty?

Homelessness is a huge issue in most countries of the world, however are the third world countries with in some way are justified to have such a social problems. Among the rich countries is US, for sure, the nation in what that kind of social group is growing instead of decreasing. In facts I can mention countries that are not as rich as US and don't suffer that scourge. Netherlands, for example, has gotten to implement a massive welfare status among its individuals; not only homelessness, even delinquency are problems in what netherlands' citizens don't bother in think about. Then my question is: are American people less than them? Aren't we capable of doing something that for others is an every day phenomenon, a life style? The answers seem to be easy; of course that we can do it, is just about of who throw the first rock. Is obvious that this social phenomena can't be attacked by a few number of individual, for that is mandatory to raise awareness and conciseness in the whole society. However is not useless to have some individuals, with a higher level of human sense, exposing the reality of our worst and deepest problems.

The case of Skid Row in downtown L.A. is the classic picture of where segregation and apathy can lead. In fact the documentary presented by Sam Slovick is one of those action that can be small but at the same time raise a conciesness. Many times we've seem how one little snow ball thrown in a mountain can become in a snowslide. In terms of art, although I think the documentary is short it has a huge emotive charge. From the very beginning the producer starts to bomb us with images; in a matter of seconds you suddenly come down to earth and start to realize that what happens in those 50 square blocks concerns to everybody.

The large amounts of testimonies give to the story credibility, no one dares to doubt that what's happening there is true. One of the resources that I liked the most, was the scene when he stands in the roof of a building and changes the aiming of his camera between the Skid Row neighborhood and a fancy zone of downtown few block ahead. Reinforcing this idea while he moves the camera he says: "All that money" aiming towards the financial district area, "All this poorness" focusing on Skid zone; the contrast is beautiful.

"The measure of any society is how it treats its weakest elements, the widows, the orphans...." states the author. And how can be understandable that LA is the number one economy in US and has abandoned closed to 9000 people at their own fate. Additionally, is harmful for the ears to hear that LA is the first third world city in United States; that's shaming man.

In my opinion the problem is addressed in something deeper than the economic disparities; it's a matter of indolence and selfishness. Something has to be done and everyone action matters, thing as simple as a documentary can make a huge difference, can raise in individuals feelings of compassion and awareness. You can start now, write something, say something, do something 'cause everything counts.