The Way: Mark Hass on Community, Adam Davis on PDX, Rep. Wilde on Redistricting, & more!
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Editor’s Note:
I’ll admit that I scoffed when my friend told me that Portland was “worse” than San Francisco. I knew portland had long had its own homelessness issues, but come on — it can’t compare with a city the size of San Francisco. Then I came back downtown for the first time in a year and a half and I understood that my friend was right.
“Worse” was on display when a customer had to defend a barista from a verbal and nearly physical attack from an individual suffering from mental illness. “Worse” appeared again when the family of tourists had to navigate a line of tents to enter their hotel. “Worse” was obvious when my old local haunts were bordered up and surrounded by a newly formed tent city.
I can’t define worse because I can’t put how I felt into words. The despair of seeing a city I’ve called home be anything but hospital to residents and guests alike was too sad to precisely define. In talking to Portlanders (current and former), I’m not the only one. “Soul crushing” is how one friend put it. Another said her “heart hurt.” Point in time counts of homeless individuals and statistics on mental illness episodes can’t tell the full story and no phrase seems up to the task of summarizing the scene in the Rose City.
I wanted to believe that Portland could never be as “bad” as it’s painted by those who would love to see it crumble but that belief would conflict with the reality I observed. Portland is “worse” than San Francisco and than I had ever seen it because nearly every block shows signs of the city’s failure to provide all residents with the public safety and basic essentials that are necessary for any city to thrive.
It’s hard to find funding for the basics. Private sector sources aren’t interested in such “simple” projects. For instance, few foundations have programs for toiletries and tents. And public sector sources are either hamstrung by jurisdictional squabbles or political gridlock. Even though there’s public support for meaningful action on assisting those struggling to get by, few politicians are willing to stick their neck out to solve our homelessness problem — it’s too hard, will take too long, and will likely never result in a “win.”
What Portland and an increasing number of cities across the state need isn’t a moonshot. What city councilors and county commissioners need to do won’t result in any political wins. This is a matter of us collectively waking up and acknowledging that we’re failing our fellow humans. We can elect principled leaders committed to funding effective solutions.
Our manifold metro-area jurisdictions need to identify specific areas for individuals experiencing homeless to reliably find shelter. Our myriad nonprofits and restaurants need to coordinate so that no food goes wasted and that as many bellies as possible are filled three times a day. Our social services corps must be expanded, well supported, and directed to triage those taking shelter in the sanctioned areas.
Many other solutions must be pursued but nearly all of those will take too long to respond to what has become more than an emergency. Our current approach to homelessness is a lose lose. Tents on every corner fail to connect those in need to services and safe places. Ideas for big, long term structures are necessary but fall short of tackling the basic problems conflicting so many Portlanders.
The fact of the matter is that there’s no win-win as long as folks with mental illness go untreated and the basic necessities are pushed aside for what seems politically-popular moonshots. But we must and can do better. Worse is unacceptable.
Let’s stop hoping for big solutions that “solve” homelessness. Let’s admit that the best we can do right now is simply making our blocks safe, keeping our parks clean, and identifying stable places for people to shelter. Let’s demand bigger and bolder investments from the private sector and more responsive and reasonable public sector actors.
To look forward to:
Luhui Whitebear’s first post!
Jim Moore on why Oregon needs a foreign policy.
Elden Rosenthal on how a collective response to climate change can improve our political climate as well.
Rich Vial analyzing how our two party system can make nuanced relationships hard to form and sustain.
Aeric Estep encouraging people to make the most of where they call home rather than fleeing for more ideological homogeneous pastures.
To read:
Kim Mosier hopes that 2020 is a low point for parents. She has an idea for how to make sure that’s the case.
read the full piece here.
Mark Hass reviews Jason Atkinson’s latest project: Pastor’s Monday. It’s a unique example of bringing Oregonians together to form a powerful community.
read the full piece here.
Tam Moore reflects on the state of local journalism (spoiler — it’s not great). Don’t miss this important perspective on why we need local papers to thrive.
read the full piece here.
Adam Davis asks if what lies at the foundation of Portland. Amid rising buildings, shifting food carts, and blocked off public spaces, it’s hard to know what’s ahead for the Rose City.
read the full piece here.
Rep. Marty Wilde issues a call to action — don’t miss this short window to make your voice heard in the redistricting process.
read the full piece here.
Nils D. Christoffersen, Executive Director of Wallowa Resources, outlines the importance of stewardship. The Stewardship Economy he describes can help Oregonians thrive and preserve the state’s incredible natural resources.
read the full piece here.
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Photo credit:
"Portland, homeless, garbage. City provided garbage can next to the tent, but when you look at the entrance to the tent, garbage in & out. Portland Oregon. July 2020" by drburtoni is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
"File:Beach at Road's End State Park (Lincoln City, Oregon - June 2007).jpg" by Justin Lonas - Moviegoer84 at English Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
So what is the difference that makes Portland worse? It must be failed policies. Policies that enable people to not seek their better selves. Policies that relax norms of what is acceptable behavior. Keep Portland weird , strike a bell? Personal expression is and should be encouraged. But when it creates a radical change in society, it causes what Portland is experiencing. Anything goes. Personal responsibility is out the window. (I know, all the extreme people are cringing at that statement.) It isn't the main cause, but one of the many changes in Portland that has caused what it has become.