Los Angeles - the rich and the poor

In all these months of traveling and experiencing some big cities, many small towns and endless dots on the map, did we ever come across such diversity as we did in 'THE CITY OF ANGELS".

Ferraries and BMW's drive next to old beaters.

A city that attracts millions of tourists, a city that everyone knows for its glamour and stars, no matter where in the world you are.

How can there be so much homelessness?

After seeing the first tent, I started questioning what I saw.  

Then more and more make-shift shelters and tents popped up: 

On sidewalks,  in medians,  on overpasses,  on the sides of 6-lane highways and in parks.

We couldn't drive a block without seeing them.

These clusters of tents had been there for a while, too.

I started googling 'homelessness in LA" out of curiosity and sadness for these people.

I like statistics to help me understand .

Here is what Dr. Google presented to me ...:

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, in 2019, approximately 50,000 to 60,000 persons may be found homeless on any given night in Los Angeles County, more than 44,000 of them on the streets. Youth, from minors through age 24, make up 8,915 of the county's homeless population (8,072 in 2018)

(CNN) The deaths of homeless people in Los Angeles doubled from 2013 to 2018, according to a report released Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The number of homeless deaths increased from 536 in 2013 to 1,047 in 2018, the report said.

While most of us, including myself, are quick to pass judgement at the sight of a beggar at an intersection, we should gather more information, really.

Other Facts About the 2019 Homeless Population in Los Angeles County:

• 9% are under age 18.
• 31% are female.
• 15% are in family units (often headed by a single mother}.
• 16% are physically disabled.
• 28% are chronically homeless.
• 15% of homeless population have substance abuse disorders.
• 25% of homeless population suffers from serious mental illness.
• 7% of homeless population were victims of domestic/intimate partner violence.

Fact is:

Who are we to judge a person, who we don't even know?

How often do I get comments from strangers like "what, you are German but you don't drink beer nor coffee or soccer"? 

We've all been caught generalizing, right?

What do I take away from this all? 

To remember to be kind; to judge less.

Every person has a story to tell.

 No story is the same.

Rich or poor.