Seeing Houselessness

 

            The perception of the houseless population within Portland
and other major cities within the US can be seen in a lot of ways. Depending on
outlooks, and your political leanings, it can be seen as a group of people too lazy to get a job,
which is beyond a doubt extremely regressive, and the other is with a distant empathy. But not
willing enough to do anything about it yet complain that something must be done. Often
the conversation around the houseless population tends to revolve around these subjects.
But what I feel often is missed is the human aspect of the dialog. The conversation sometimes seems to
forget that what is sleeping on the streets are people. These people living on the streets all have
different varying stories that have all led them down to this point. Just like everyone else trying to
make it day by day. But in the end, whose job is it to take care of these people?

            What is at fault here? In a system that says everyone
has the freedoms to live liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it sure does feel like those who are
suffering economically hurt keep hurting and seemingly can never get out of their position unless
they get the help that they need. It pains me to see, as I walk down the streets of Portland, tents of
all shapes and sizes scattered around the grounds. It is a sad thing that this has become a norm for the
US. Extreme disparity between the wealthy and the poor has nearly always been a running theme in
US history. But there seems to be a sense of numbness to the issue, that it is the way things are.
Sure political movements are strong today, however with many companies nowadays sinking
millions of dollars into making sure unions aren’t formed. With tactics such as propaganda to
the workforce about unions and dividing up those who are pushing for unions.

If you like to learn more about these tactics click here, and learn from Jobs With Justice.
An organization that is all about providing information about giving unions power.

-Gavin Stockwell

https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-team-united-together-people-1917895