Posted on 05/06/2018 7:53:20 AM PDT by sodpoodle
Once upon a time in New York City, Sherman Jackson lived at the glittering heights of public life in a privileged place of bold-faced names and media stars.
For a time, he appeared on TV sets citywide as a newsman at NBC. Later he appeared on-air as a press secretary for some of the biggest politicians in the city.
The schools chancellor. The parks commissioner. Mayoral candidate Herman Badillo. He stood in front of cameras and parried with reporters, shaping the narrative of the city itself.
From the 1970s into 2000, Jackson’s quotes appeared in every newspaper in town. In the pre-internet era, he was interviewed countless times on radio and TV.
He carried an impressive address book filed with the private numbers of big name politicians who relied on his advice. He spoke with the authority of a major player, a savvy insider.
And then it all went south.
Things happened. Situations changed. Life, as it sometimes does, took a turn, and Jackson came to realize that for some of us, everything you think you will have forever suddenly isn’t there anymore.
And so on Friday, Jackson, now 70 years old, awoke once again in a big open dormitory room along with 24 other men, a resident of a city-run homeless shelter hard by the entrance to the BQE.
This is his ninth month in a shelter, and he has not yet found a way out. Last week when a Daily News reporter asked him if he ever thought he would be where he is now, he could not find the necessary words to answer.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
It’s true!
What would he do if all his buddies in the media weren’t there to help him out? /s
He only has himself and his own Liberal Democrat New York Politics and Liberal Media to blame.
There are many guys like this. They are somewhat successful, make money, live like big shots all their life....then what?
This did not work out. His son, he says, kept taking what little money he earned as a freelancer and from a $2,100 monthly Social Security benefit he collected due to a chronic stomach disease that’s hobbled him for years.
The contract he signed with Homeless Services says he must accept the first suitable apartment. He’s been shown three apartments, and the last one looked promising. The rent was $1,375 which the city would pay for the first year. After that he would be required to pay no more than half his income with the city picking up the rest. In his view it was worth it.
...
His problem is he wants to live in NYC subsidized by the taxpayers.
He could rent a home or nice apartment in many areas of the country using his Social Security.
Seems like he gave up on taking care of himself—living with sister or kids for years. Should have changed his career too. Freelance writing doesn’t pay well to begin with. He could get a menial job and make more than what he probably earned. Also, if I were desperate, I wouldn’t live in the city where expenses are through the roof.
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spent all my money, I just didn’t care,
Took all my friends out for a mighty good time
bought ‘em high priced liquor, champagne and wine.
Then I began to fall so low,
didn’t have a dollar and no place to go
If I ever get my hands on a dollar again
I’m gonna hold on to it ‘til the eagle grins, cause...
Nobody wants you
When you’re down and out
In your pocket not one penny
when it comes to friends you’ll find you haven’t got any
When you get back on your feet again
everybody wants to be your long-lost friend,
Well, it’s mighty strange, without a doubt
that nobody wants you when you’re down and out!
An oldie, recreated from memory of Joe Finn...Rest his soul.
“What happened to your queer party friends?”
There are organizations that would give him a free bus ticket to Florida or Houston, room and board, a cardboard sign and daily rides to an from his assigned intersection.
Well, the important this is he found himself. Isn’t that what we all want? Does it matter where it happens?
Exactly. NYC, where a shoe box cost $3k in rent, is not where a low income person needs to be.
A homeless person normally migrates to where it’s at least warm but not too hot to spend most the time outdoors unless they have a good enough SS check to allow for a $500 a month apartment. Most, if not all, states have low income housing based on income too.
This person simply needs to be strong enough, brave enough, to make a new start elsewhere for his health and well being. If he’s a leftist though; he shouldn’t vote again. :D
Right on!
Re: The article. Since when is Puerto Rican a race?
I notice all the failures to live with other people is always the other person’s fault. I have a feeling he is not being totally forthcoming.
When it’s advantageous for someone to claim such a thing.
From a wealthy bum to a homeless bum. Where are all his bummy pals?
I also agree with many Freepers here that suggest he move to a cheaper part of the country. There are many, many places you could live on $2000/ month (just not NYC).
There is more to this then what we see in this piece.
The guy did not save anything (or very little) for retirement?
Waving my hand. That’s before property tax which is killing us.
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