I'll probably look like one of Thatchers children for saying this... (The Big Issue)

Name: tuftyclub

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Product:	The Big Issue
Date:	06/03/02 (123 review reads)
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I've read the big issue fairly regularly since it's inception- that must be about 10 years ago so it is pretty obvious that I am a supporter of the magazine and it's ideals.

So what is it? It's a magazine that is sold by the homeless. It?s quite a popular idea and there are street papers all over the world including the USA, Canada and Russia. They are all based on a similar idea, the vendor buys the magazine at a discounted rate, at present 60p and sells it on for £1.20. They are initially given a pack of 10 to sell and after that they put the money up front. It can be looked upon as running your own business, you have your pitch where you sell, and also you have to look at your outlay, how many you will sell, how many you can afford to buy, where you will keep them overnight, what happens if you don?t sell them all that week and have spare copies? the list goes on. It's not a soft option and although the vendor makes 50% on each item sold, the responsibility for everything is on them. It isn't easy for someone who is on the streets or living in a hostel to live an ordered life- you may not know where your next meal is coming from, or where you will sleep that night, so to assist the Big Issue foundation gives support and assistance. Each potential vendor is given a certain amount of training and has to sign a ?Vendor Code of Conduct. After this a Vendor cannot beg, or harass the public. I'm not quite sure that I agree with the implication that a homeless person is more likely to 'harass', but unfortunately it does happen and I have experienced it on more than one occasion.

The magazine itself is fairly good. It is very socially aware and often touches issues that other publications leave well alone. It has crosswords , articles, letters pages, cartoon and is as well presented as any rival glossy. It is an entertaining read- and is sensibly put together. Many a time I have read things in the Big Issue and
been horrified at social circumstances and situations which have been ignored by the rest of the media. For example there was a long article on a mentally disturbed young man who has been jailed for decades for the crime of setting some church curtains on fire. He has slipped through the net and it is likely that he will be imprisoned for a long time still.

However the problem is this. When I read an article in the Big Issue that I know anything about, I find the article unreliable and badly researched. It may just have been bad luck on my part, but there was once a large articles on computer hacking- now I am not a hacker, but I work in computers so know a fair amount about the subject. The article wasn't good- but only because I knew that some of the things they were saying just weren't right. Similar story with an article on some film industry thing that I knew a fair amount about, so I wonder if the reporting is a little sensationalist. I may be wrong, but, once bitten twice shy- and I am unlikely to take anything they say too seriously now, which is a pity, but other friends have said the same after reading articles that they know a lot about.

They also run writing groups for the vendor, this is good for self esteem and general literacy and must in general be applauded. Much of what is provided is published in the Magazine, and sadly, a lot of it isn?t particularly good.. Now again you can shout , maybe these writers haven't had the benefit of an education or the opportunities that a lot take for granted, I agree, but I am not sure if printing poor poetry is doing anybody any good. Seems a little patronising to me and I don't like it.

My next gripe with the Big Issue is attitude related. As far as I am concerned I have had a lucky life and am willing to give infinite time to those who have had problems, regardless if the problems are self inflicted or not, we all make mistakes and we all are constantly learning. H
owever I feel that the Big Issue is trying to be 'all things to all men' In one way we are told that the vendor is doing a job of legitimate employment, and the magazine should be bought because of its appeal, not as a charity donation. However, when I proffer £2 for a 1.20 magazine, I am rarely offered change. I don't mind giving money to the homeless, but I like it to be my choice, Also, which often happens, If I buy a copy of the magazine I don't like to be told ? Oh can I just take the money and keep the magazine- or 'I need £2 for this Issue'. A price is a price and if the magazine wants to be treated in a professional way that can't happen as often as it does. Now, a lot of people could say, but these Vendors are homeless surely you don't grudge them a bit extra- and I don't, what I don't like is the inference that on one hand you are a professional commodity, and the other hand 'it's chariteee mate', so you must give. This attitude was shown wonderfully in one of their cartoons- which I remember reading years ago. It had a guy in smart clothes, carrying a walkman, a big radio, a laptop ,dripping in jewels etc walking past a Big Issue vendor saying 'Sorry, I already have one'. Regardless of personal wealth, you have a choice of where to spend your money- looking wealthy doesn't mean that you have to buy the Big Issue, and maybe you already have bought one. Is the idea that, you are well off so you *have* to buy two copies I've bought two and three copies some months, but that's my personal choice and I don't like the implication that people have to buy it.

That mixed message pervades round the magazine and I don't like it, it must put people off, I will continue to buy it anyway- with my misgivings , but a different type of person will think of buying a magazine once, get hassle and never do so again. To be really honest I don't buy it as often as I used too,
I go back because of the basic person that I am, I know it's hard for people, I try not to judge, it easily could have been me but really, they have to make a stance one way or another, or eventually they may lose me as a reader for good.

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