Lopez's "page one series on Skid Row" are now attracting a lot of attention, particularly from the Mayor. Is it wrong that Lopez is plastering the stories of those living horrible lives all over the L.A. Times? Or could it be a good thing? With a gaining interest from people who could make a huge difference (such as the mayor) maybe it's not so bad, maybe it's journalism with a real purpose? Something that made me mad at the end of chapter 13 was the fact that the Mayor had no idea of the intensity of the poverty in his own city. He had to keep reading the stories that Lopez wrote before he became active. This doesn't say much about him or his position, but if he's willing to help that's always a good thing.
Everyone wants Ayers to move into an apartment that they have reserved for him. Like i said before, Ayers is very content where he is and they should not pressure him to move anywhere else. Trying to put a schizophrenic, paranoid man in an unfamiliar environment against his will seems like asking you re for trouble. The fact that LAMP held a place for him while others also in need could have been using it is kind of sickening. Just because he's been getting attention for a magazine does not make that right.
So, I've been having bad feelings toward Ayers' sister. All I can think is why has she not taken in her brother? Family and friends stick together no matter what! But after reading this chunk of the book I can see that he truly doesn't want to live in any kind of closed space. It's kind of beautiful and awesome. His passion for the "out doors" reminds me of some of the Romantic writers we have read. Not so much that he's connected to "nature" per say, but he is completely on his own with no boundaries. It seems that he is another very creative starving artist who is connected to a pure world and a nomadic life style. He has no distractions, just music. Nathaniel Ayers gets to play music all day. Nathaniel Ayers answers to no one. I am jealous of Nathaniel Ayers.
comment on my ideas and please inform me if im off topic or boring
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I liked how you talked specifically about the mayor and his importance to the people of Skid Row. To your question about Lopez exposing the lives of the homeless, I think its definitely a good thing thing because people with power, such as the mayor, could really make a change. Also, i loved how you brought the Romantics into play. I didn't really think about that until you said. That was really interesting. Good job!
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