Critical Analysis Of Scott Branford's Camping For Their Lives

Improved Essays
In his informative essay “Camping for Their Lives,” Scott Branford discusses the political, economic, and social ramifications inflicted upon homeless Americans due to the issue of expensive housing. Bransford purpose in his piece is to dismiss the negative view held toward arising tent cities by highlighting their communal values that can potentiality model future urban development. Branford’s essay can be observed as a criticism due to the topics that are covered such as low wages, rising cost of housing, ethnic exclusion, and lack of government assistance. Consequently, the target audience of his piece is the American people who find the homeless responsible for their own vulnerable economic position rather than being empathized and supported …show more content…
By discussing the policies implemented in the communities, the author dismisses the notion that the homeless are irresponsible and not worthy of being assisted such as when housing director Brent Schultz states the prohibition of “drugs, alcohol, children, and visitors” and community service required to live in tent cities such as Dignity Village (Bransford, 2011). Therefore, Branford utilizes emotional appeal when criticizing against government officials who interfere with Americans sense of personal security and property; for an example, when the “state of California” had caused “$2.3 million in damage” by tearing down makeshift homes (Bransford, 2011). Moreover, Bransford proves that this issue is significant suggesting that California should find “inspiration” from these communities as low wages, ethnic exclusion, and rising house prices are causing many individuals reliant on government assistance (Bransford, 2011). However, Branford does not address any counter arguments within his writing stating the other side of homeless individuals who are responsible for their own severe economic status. Notwithstanding, the authors does not include the voice of other community members in addition to the governments reasoning as to why tent cities are detrimental to

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