At my Aunt’s house over Thanksgiving, I read this
But what surprised her more were the message-board posts and emails from homeless people who’d been living in their cars, on the streets, in squatted houses or in shanties. To read these, you’d think that half her readership was sleeping rough and getting online at libraries, Starbuckses, and stumbled wireless networks that they accessed with antique laptops on street-corners.
in Cory Doctorow’s Makers and the following in the Trib.
Those who know Naret describe her as intelligent, neat — even elegant. A prolific blogger, Naret spends many days using computers at Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill, where she writes on 20 blogs.
“I am a disabled lady, living in the street,” she wrote in one blog. “Being homeless, I have no bed to sleep in at night. Sleep only comes in naps, sitting in my chair.”
On another, she wrote: “I am waiting for a chance to lie down and at least have a place to die. There is not much hope of healing.”
Libraries with computers have become a magnet for some people who are homeless, said Dennis Culhane, a University of Pennsylvania professor and nationally recognized expert on homelessness.
“They can access information on jobs and housing, and connect with family members and other supports. The most common path out of homelessness is through family and friends, and the Internet is one of the primary vehicles our society has for connecting us,” Culhane said.
Naret’s blog topics range from government corruption, to war, to health care and politics. Her “Hey Buddy, Can You Spare a Latte” blog includes jokes, prayers and newspaper articles. She has a Sub Atomic Quantum Humor blog for science buffs.
“She considers herself a bit of an Internet rabble-rouser. Her goal is to be heard,” said Mark Russell, a Carnegie librarian at Squirrel Hill.
“Twelve-year street woman finds purpose as a blogger” by Craig Smith, The Trib 11-26-09
Condescending though it may be, this article sparked my curiosity. As it turns out, Dawn Naret and I cover many of the same topics (smoking and police obnoxiousness issues, Oz and Harry Potter, DIY mysticism and ancient civilizations), albeit from rather different perspectives. For sheer prolificity and entertainment value, Dawn clearly cleans my clock at blogging.
Respect.
Have fun and cuídate.