Patrick Joesph Schnerch, click
here to update your pages on AuthorsDen.
Blogs by Patrick Joesph Schnerch
The Forgotton, Lost and Neglected 4/22/2009 7:53:30 AM
This book series is not about to neglect our most vulnerable. Their voice must be heard. I invite my friends on the street to share their stories and have their voices heard. I am in the process of gathering information from various community leaders and organizations.
I am working both sides of the coin trying to balance equal playtime and reduce bias. It is easy to get caught up in the game. Everyone has something to say and is not always non-biased. Remarks and quotes in many cases are very one sided and egotistical.
Mental illness, addiction and homelessness are serious topics. Since this situation is so critical, there is no way to accurately desribe the truth without including the darker side of the story. These conditions are not positive, glamorous or rosy.
If the kettle is black, I will call it black. There is nothing positive about these conditions and I won't paint a rose on the canvass without its thorns.
The people deserve the truth and face reality for what it really is. Sugarcoating the situation only masks the truth and downplays the reality of a serious situation.
By allowing our most vulnerable to speak out is one of the most accurate gauges of the situation on the streets. Who would know better than anyone else than those who are directly affected. This is where you will find the real truth.
My friends on the street have been silenced, neglected and ignored. Their voices and opinions have been censored and edited to protect society from the harsh reality on the streets.
This book series is making sure that their voice is heard and earmarked as a reality check for mainstream society. People only want to hear positive comments and remarks even if it is not totally accurate. They only want to hear waterd down versions as to not offend or hurt feelings among the public.
This makes me ask the question, "What about the feelings of our street people?" That has never been a concern for society. What are we so afraid of that we shy away from the truth?
This book series tells it like it is. No one has ever provided a level playing field so that everyone has the opprotunity to be heard regardless of what is being said. My friends on the street deserve this opprotunity to be heard.
I invite everyone to share their story with me and have it relayed to a wider audience where their voice will have the most impact. This may be the wake-up-call that the City of Victoria desperately needs.
The opinions and messages have always been one-sided. I will not let this happen this time. The voices of the street will take centre stage in the book, 'City of Gardens: The Invisible Society'.
