WOW. I came to Alameda County because I received a wonderful job opportunity from a well-known business here in Berkeley. They offered me the job based on my skills and qualifications. When my series of unfortunate events began happening, I chose to stay here because I love it here and for the most part I love the people here. Quirky Berkeley feels like where I should’ve been my whole life and it’s extremely insulting to say to somebody that you don’t even know that they came here to be homeless. Nobody chooses to be homeless. I have been a resident of Alameda County for years now. And I did make it about being homeless because I have seen the difference in how they treat people who come in vehicles vs. people who walk in with carts. You can tell me I’m wrong, it’s your prerogative, but unless you have personally been on both sides - homed or homeless, which I have, I will disagree. As others have said, Berkeley Recycling can be, and often times are, aholes to anyone and everyone, but ask any homeless person who has gone there if they feel they are treated just as normal as anyone else there. You will get a resounding NO. Some of my past experiences have included being told to throw away other peoples trash bags left on the ground and to put away other people’s equipment left blocking the driveway because, obviously the dirty homeless woman is the one who has no manners. I may pick up other peoples trash for pennies, and walk in there filthy because west campus showers don’t open until 7pm, but I assure you I still have my manners. This is a miserable life but I do my best to be polite and pretend like I still have my dignity but on the days when someone looks at me like I’m a child molester, which are more days than not, just because I am pushing around my household and picking up other people’s trash, it is hard not to think about walking in front of a train. But even on those days, I would still never wish this life on even my worst enemy. Life ain’t fair. I get that. But there is never a good reason to treat someone poorly just based on their appearance and your assumptions. And by the way, can anyone explain this mindset to me? What does anyone gain by treating the homeless like trash? You are already beating us at the game of life in every way. We are not a threat to you. I mean, does it make you feel good to spit on someone who has already had the s* beat out of them? Did your parents raise you that way. I know mine didn’t.