The Voice Of Homelessness In Fannie's Skid Row

610 Words2 Pages

The stories that comprise the voices of Skid Row are unique, despite their common thread of homelessness. From the severely mentally ill to the merely down on their luck, the population of Skid Row widely varies, as are their chances of getting of the streets. Let’s examine a sampling of the personal stories of Skid Row residents. From these stories, I have seen a small glimpse of everyday life and the struggles of the Skid Row community. Fannie Maifield’s mother moved to California from Mississippi, and Fannie was born in East Los Angeles. Fannie had six siblings, but is the only one in her family to have passed the age of sixty. Fannie had two children, but both of them are also deceased. Both succumbed to a genetic muscular disease. Fannie became homeless and landed on …show more content…

She has had a variety of jobs in her life, which include: teaching (mentally disabled children how to read), as a security guard, and for the board of education organizing refreshments. Fannie’s mother is alive and still lives in East LA, but Fannie has always chosen not to live with her, although she saw her often while living on Skid Row. Fannie says, “I don't know why I didn't stay with her when I was homeless. I just wanted to be by myself” (Guerra, Love on San Pedro). Fannie describes living on the street as invasive; she is constantly approached by people asking for drugs, alcohol, or trying to bother your personal belongings. A saving grace for Fannie has been her involvement with the renowned Cornerstone theatre and she feels the downtown Arts District is her true home. She

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