In my view, the fundamental problem with homelessness lies in the cruelty and disregard by those of us who have not been homeless. We have become a much crueler society where people find it easy to regard anyone unlike themselves as "other," and not worthy of regard. This really began with Reagan, who emptied out the refuges for people with psychological difficulties, and gutted social spending
The current Republican party is the extreme embodiment of what Reagan started. They don't care if anyone is shot, or dies alone, or is starving, as long as they can regard someone as being less worthy than they are.
There are two solutions, one political, the other personal. We have to fight like hell to get these evil people out of public office and then pressure local and state governments to take the problem seriously.
My city, Lexington Kentucky, could be a model. Several things happened here in recent years. First, our largest homebuilder, Don and Myra Ball, created the Hope Center, with their own money. This providess safe housing, food, counseling, and job placement for men and women with substance abuse problems. Second, our city leaders began to seriously address the problem by creating a group of citizens to scour the city making contact with homeless people and offering them a way to a more stable life. The most recent census showed that, in a city of 321,000, there are currently 32 unhoused homeless people and about 1,000 homeless with access to housing. It can be done.
Beyond the political, there is the personal. People find it easy to avoid eye contact or personal interactions with street people (by which I mean people wandering the streets, perhaps shabbily dressed, but not necessarily homeless). This dehumanizes both parties. There are lots of wanderers in my neighborhood -- the Hope Center is nearby, and the men are not allowed to stay in the centeer during the day. There are also quite a few recent African immigrants who are housed but still finding their way in our city. Smiling, saying hello, talking with them costs nothing. Sometimes I make it clear that I am not giving handouts (I give to the Hope Centeer), and generally that is respected.
We need to restore humanity to our lives. We need to de-Reaganize how our society is structured and how we treat each other.
In my view, the fundamental problem with homelessness lies in the cruelty and disregard by those of us who have not been homeless. We have become a much crueler society where people find it easy to regard anyone unlike themselves as "other," and not worthy of regard. This really began with Reagan, who emptied out the refuges for people with psychological difficulties, and gutted social spending
The current Republican party is the extreme embodiment of what Reagan started. They don't care if anyone is shot, or dies alone, or is starving, as long as they can regard someone as being less worthy than they are.
There are two solutions, one political, the other personal. We have to fight like hell to get these evil people out of public office and then pressure local and state governments to take the problem seriously.
My city, Lexington Kentucky, could be a model. Several things happened here in recent years. First, our largest homebuilder, Don and Myra Ball, created the Hope Center, with their own money. This providess safe housing, food, counseling, and job placement for men and women with substance abuse problems. Second, our city leaders began to seriously address the problem by creating a group of citizens to scour the city making contact with homeless people and offering them a way to a more stable life. The most recent census showed that, in a city of 321,000, there are currently 32 unhoused homeless people and about 1,000 homeless with access to housing. It can be done.
Beyond the political, there is the personal. People find it easy to avoid eye contact or personal interactions with street people (by which I mean people wandering the streets, perhaps shabbily dressed, but not necessarily homeless). This dehumanizes both parties. There are lots of wanderers in my neighborhood -- the Hope Center is nearby, and the men are not allowed to stay in the centeer during the day. There are also quite a few recent African immigrants who are housed but still finding their way in our city. Smiling, saying hello, talking with them costs nothing. Sometimes I make it clear that I am not giving handouts (I give to the Hope Centeer), and generally that is respected.
We need to restore humanity to our lives. We need to de-Reaganize how our society is structured and how we treat each other.
I didn’t realize when I was in the zoom last week that you’re also finishing a PhD! Thanks for the reminder to acknowledge my privilege.