Invisibility
What does it mean to be invisible?
The Circuit
In the article (The Circuit), Panchito’s life is described, telling the reader that he works long tiring days in the hot sun for little pay. He is not allowed to go to school in specific seasons because of the demand for labor in the fields. At one point Pancito had to hide from the school bus to continue working. Also, Panchito’s family is constantly moving because the constant rotation of crop picking seasons (ex. cotton season ends in February and another season starts). This adds to the fact that when they do move, it is to a dirty, small and old room as described in the text (68.). Finding work is not easy for the family (at first) as the text describes the conversation between Mama and a camp foremen as he claims “We don’t need no more”. This shows invisibility because Panchito and his family are forced to work to sustain their financial demands for the little pay (instead of living the “American Dream” and going to school, living in healthy/comfortable houses, etc.) and treated badly by being given unmaintained living quarters. Also, the family is denied of work by the camp foremen with no sign of condolence or sympathy.
The Invisible People Website
On the “Invisible People” website, stories are shared to raise awareness and money for individual homeless people. Along with pictures and videos, stories and biographies are provided to tell the sad life of the homeless people who feel invisible. As written on the site, a homeless man was given a pamphlet for Christianity (the religion). The man was shocked, who replied “What! You can see me? I’m invisible!” The man also claimed that as he became homeless, people started to walk past him, treating him like a piece of trash. He explained that it’s easier to shield the homeless from our hearts than accept, and treat them as humans. This shows invisibility because homeless people, like this man, actually realize how invisible they are to the middle-class/wealthy world. After the man quoted “I’m invisible!”, he described how he felt like a piece of trash and how no one payed attention to him.
Homeless Relatives Experiment
In the experiment ("Have the Homeless Become Invisible?"), unsuspecting family members were asked to walk past relatives dressed as homeless people. Not only did they walk past their loved ones, but looked away to shield themselves from seeing the truth about life in poverty, as do most Americans in that situation. This shows invisibility because homeless people are treated like an invisible population in our country, due to the problems they face (and of course their dirtiness). Many middle class Americans look away from the homeless and wouldn’t even notice their own relatives begging for their next meal.
Christian
Email: christian.connolly@newfairfieldschools.org
Location: NFMS
Phone: 555-555-5555