Stephen Sears’ recent column, “‘Made’ in America” (“The Awful Truth,” Sept. 21), lacks both humor and realistic perspective. While a television show as inane as MTV’s “Made” is certainly ripe ground for satire, Sears’ column does little more than reinforce tired stereotypes of not only homeless people, but college students as well.

While it may elicit giggles from some readers, the name “Twinkies McPothead” is both offensive and ignorant. The idea that homeless men, women and children are derelict drug abusers is the stuff of crappy standup comedy. While some homeless people do indeed use drugs (as do many other specific populations), this characterization ignores the complexity of the situation. An increase in the cost of living in conjunction with a decrease in wages (as adjusted for inflation), domestic violence, physical disability and mental illness (nearly a quarter of all homeless people suffer from some form of mental illness) all contribute to people being forced to live in inadequate housing or no housing at all. The idea that someone “chooses” to be homeless because they’re a “slacker” denies “The Awful Truth” of the matter.

It also undermines the basis for the column. Sears focuses on his friends who are getting something for virtually nothing. One need look no further than our own local and national government or the entertainment industry to find idiots thrust into positions of power or wealth, positions that may seem unwarranted.

I’m not trying to idealize homelessness or the people who live in it, I’m pointing out why Sears’ humor (if you can call it that) fails. Recycling tired ideas in a new frame of reference (in this case an MTV program) isn’t funny. It’s mugging for a few easy laughs from readers not paying attention.

— Jessica Nelson is a graduate student studying English literature.