Author’s note: I have pondered and reflected upon such a topic for a long while, usually stirred by observing or interacting with homeless people in some once-illustrious—gilded but fallen—American city.
A tough and uncomfortable read. I don’t buy all of it, but much of it is sadly reasonable. I need to think about how I might play a greater role in addressing this issue. Thank you for writing this.
Thanks for asking my thoughts. I'm far from an expert on the topic, but I did take a greater interest in the subject of homelessness when I lived in Nashville, TN, not far from a large and active homeless encampment. Your article paints a compelling and compassionate picture of the plight of many people who are homeless more because of circumstances and ill fortune than bad life choices. I know also that addiction to alcohol and other drugs plays a major role, as does mental illness, especially when linked with addictive behaviors. But in Nashville I was surprised by how many people appeared to be homeless by choice. "I refuse to deal with the circumstances I was offered," one guy explained when asked why he didn't accept a slot in one of the city's homeless refuges (he was angry about its curfews, its prohibition on drug/alcohol use on the premises, etc.). Others seemed to be homeless just out of contrariness -- "Nobody's going to tell me what to do and where to go," and "I know I could get a job if I wanted to, but I don't want to." Talking to a man at a homeless shelter in Kansas City, I was surprised when he admitted flatly that "I have no business being homeless," meaning, there was no external reason he could offer as an explanation.
I have no way of knowing how large a group that might be, but it exists, and I didn't see it mentioned in your article. I'm not convinced that more compassion and understanding will be what it takes to reach that group. But like I wrote above, I need to think more about this.
I appreciate for you taking the time to share your experience and perspective--it is noted. I also appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. Thanks for the feedback. I will take time to deliberate and may respond with some thoughts of my own to keep the conversation going.
I’d be interested in reading your additional thoughts on the subject. You clearly have some good insights on the issue and I’m confident I would learn something.
After thinking a bit more about the issue, I can see where you are coming from. I do not think your experience is invalid, but I believe there are great structural and systemic problems at work here that supersede individual, anecdotal experience: they do not invalidate it, but it should be taken into a view of the larger socio-economic and cultural context (which, I think, is the larger point of my essay).
In short, we have created an entire civilization based on centralized hired labor, on which the acquisition and maintenance of basic necessities for its members hinges. For people at the bottom (such as the ones you encountered) it is understandable—though not estimable—that they would essentially give up: since clinging to the ladder one step up from the bottom rung is much more difficult than simply letting go. When one is in such a position, “falling” into homelessness could potentially be seen as a relief; it is a cowardice, but one that would not happen if morale—i.e. hope of a better life and future—still predominated the American cultural zeitgeist. We are a demoralized people—and homelessness and unemplyment/under-employment are chronic symptoms of a sick society that is past its peak, and actively circling the drain.
We create conditions that make people lose faith and heart; and when lose hope of working towards a better life for themselves and their kin, all bets about the result/outcome are off. I would be curious to further press such homeless people about their experience to determine: are they simply cowardly losers who give up at the first sign of adversity?, or are they demoralized for different reasons altogether? In the first case, I would be inclined to agree with your assessment; in the latter, I think it would provide evidence to buttress some of the arguments raised in my essay. Our problems are indeed multifaceted: they are social and economic, yes—but they are also spiritual, moral, and religious. The dearth of meaningful and purposeful work and toil in our society is a grave problem that requires serious deliberation and remediation.
Thanks for commenting and striking up a conversation about a very serious issue.
That’s an excellent and well-considered elaboration on your original post. Sadly, I believe your thoughts about our society being past its peak are likely accurate. I hope we still have the time, and the will, to take some corrective actions.
Thanks again for sharing your ideas. They are thought-provoking, in the best way.
A tough and uncomfortable read. I don’t buy all of it, but much of it is sadly reasonable. I need to think about how I might play a greater role in addressing this issue. Thank you for writing this.
Thanks for reading David! What part(s) do you dispute out of curiosity? Would love to discuss further.
Thanks for asking my thoughts. I'm far from an expert on the topic, but I did take a greater interest in the subject of homelessness when I lived in Nashville, TN, not far from a large and active homeless encampment. Your article paints a compelling and compassionate picture of the plight of many people who are homeless more because of circumstances and ill fortune than bad life choices. I know also that addiction to alcohol and other drugs plays a major role, as does mental illness, especially when linked with addictive behaviors. But in Nashville I was surprised by how many people appeared to be homeless by choice. "I refuse to deal with the circumstances I was offered," one guy explained when asked why he didn't accept a slot in one of the city's homeless refuges (he was angry about its curfews, its prohibition on drug/alcohol use on the premises, etc.). Others seemed to be homeless just out of contrariness -- "Nobody's going to tell me what to do and where to go," and "I know I could get a job if I wanted to, but I don't want to." Talking to a man at a homeless shelter in Kansas City, I was surprised when he admitted flatly that "I have no business being homeless," meaning, there was no external reason he could offer as an explanation.
I have no way of knowing how large a group that might be, but it exists, and I didn't see it mentioned in your article. I'm not convinced that more compassion and understanding will be what it takes to reach that group. But like I wrote above, I need to think more about this.
I appreciate for you taking the time to share your experience and perspective--it is noted. I also appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. Thanks for the feedback. I will take time to deliberate and may respond with some thoughts of my own to keep the conversation going.
Cheers 🍻
I’d be interested in reading your additional thoughts on the subject. You clearly have some good insights on the issue and I’m confident I would learn something.
After thinking a bit more about the issue, I can see where you are coming from. I do not think your experience is invalid, but I believe there are great structural and systemic problems at work here that supersede individual, anecdotal experience: they do not invalidate it, but it should be taken into a view of the larger socio-economic and cultural context (which, I think, is the larger point of my essay).
In short, we have created an entire civilization based on centralized hired labor, on which the acquisition and maintenance of basic necessities for its members hinges. For people at the bottom (such as the ones you encountered) it is understandable—though not estimable—that they would essentially give up: since clinging to the ladder one step up from the bottom rung is much more difficult than simply letting go. When one is in such a position, “falling” into homelessness could potentially be seen as a relief; it is a cowardice, but one that would not happen if morale—i.e. hope of a better life and future—still predominated the American cultural zeitgeist. We are a demoralized people—and homelessness and unemplyment/under-employment are chronic symptoms of a sick society that is past its peak, and actively circling the drain.
We create conditions that make people lose faith and heart; and when lose hope of working towards a better life for themselves and their kin, all bets about the result/outcome are off. I would be curious to further press such homeless people about their experience to determine: are they simply cowardly losers who give up at the first sign of adversity?, or are they demoralized for different reasons altogether? In the first case, I would be inclined to agree with your assessment; in the latter, I think it would provide evidence to buttress some of the arguments raised in my essay. Our problems are indeed multifaceted: they are social and economic, yes—but they are also spiritual, moral, and religious. The dearth of meaningful and purposeful work and toil in our society is a grave problem that requires serious deliberation and remediation.
Thanks for commenting and striking up a conversation about a very serious issue.
Drew
That’s an excellent and well-considered elaboration on your original post. Sadly, I believe your thoughts about our society being past its peak are likely accurate. I hope we still have the time, and the will, to take some corrective actions.
Thanks again for sharing your ideas. They are thought-provoking, in the best way.
Thank you for the kind words David!