Sleepless in Dallas: The Truth Behind Dallas' Homeless

It was a warm Friday night in Central Downtown Dallas. Many people laughing and drinking having a good time with their friends, family and money. Meanwhile in other parts of the area, there were people whom were either starving, drunk or high without the fundamentals of money.

Near the "Infamous" Grey Hound Bus Station, you will most definitely find alot of hustlers, drug dealers and thieves especially in the late night hours. But do not worry sometimes there is a Dallas Police Officer on Patrol, (other times only an armed security guard.) If you were to wonder off across the street make sure that you Do Not look like a tourist !

On the other side of Downtown, you will find over twenty (20) people sleeping in the streets across from city hall. Sometimes you see people in wheelchairs, walkers and even children. What kind of life is that for anyone whom is physically/ mentally/ emotionally sick, paralyzed and/or even retarded?

To find the answers to some of these questions, this reporter sought out to find someone whom has and still is part of "Dallas' Homeless Culture." Walking down a street named Pearl, I was stopped by a black man in fairly decent clothing whom had asked me for some change. I gladly told the man, "If you are willing to tell of the horrors and happenings that you have experienced while living on the streets, I will give you Ten (10) Dollars." The man's eyes widened as he replied, "Al'reddy."

R. Edwards : "First I would like to thank you for this opportunity to actually speak with you, sir, an elite member of the Dallas homeless community."

R. Edwards : "Well sir, under what name should I address you and record your name as ?"

J. Thomas : "Just call me Jerome (Thomas)."

R. Edwards : "So Mr. Thomas, how is life on the streets during this extremely hot summer in Texas and how do you cope with the heat day in and night out ?"

J. Thomas : "I do the best I can," he chuckles, "but seriously I drink plenty of water at the Dallas public library and also, stay in that building from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday granted that I do not fall asleep in there (that is grounds of being escorted out of the building for the remainder of the day."

R. Edwards : "Must be rough on the 'old bones' as so myself have been in the same predicament a couple of months prior."

J. Thomas : "I thought you looked familiar," he laughs, "but seriously, so you definitely know how it feels to be looked down on."

R. Edwards : "Exactly and it is not a good feeling and it is not right of people to judge you because of it."

R. Edwards : "They do not understand that you may be the next 'William Gates' that they maybe talking to until it is too late and they let their hatred known."

J. Thomas : "Exactly and that is their own course of ignorance."

R. Edwards : "Well, I thank you once again for taking the time in speaking with me and I hope things get better in your life."

J. Thomas : "Thank you, hoping for the same in your(s) (life)."