A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Platform : The Panhandlers

‘MYSTOR INCOGNITO’, Homeless, 37, West Los Angeles.

You have to avoid any negativity when you’re panhandling. It’s important how you carry yourself. You have to let people know you’re sincere and you respect them, and aren’t trying to run over them. You have to stay positive, because panhandling itself is negative. You know you’re an outcast.

Over the years the nature of homelessness has totally evolved. In 1979 it was mostly alcoholics. But now there’s a lot of cocaine and harder drug addicts. I believe I was forced into panhandling by society. I use it simply as a means to survive, not for much more. And if I ever did anything negative, I hope you forgive me.