The Rev. Wright and the homeless

Here's an e-mail sent out today by the Rev. Bruce Wright, a constant advocate for the homeless in St. Petersburg. As I said in my earlier post, I don't agree with all his characterizations or the whole "Nuremberg" business.

As I reflect and look at the very disturbing and troubling ordinances passed by the city of St. Pete., I am very concerned about the Future of this city, this state, and this country. All around this land similar ordinances are being passed that marginalize and discriminate against the homeless. These ordinances are indeed unjust and unconstitutional and a violation of the UN declaration of Human and Economic Human Rights. They are, in fact, eerily similar to the Nuremberg Laws that were enacted in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Which were not only applied to Jews, but also Gypsies, the homeless, the Mentally ill, the homosexual, and political dissidents.

Some would find this an overreaction, but please take the time to look closely at the ordinances and the Nuremberg Laws. The city and it's supporters have effectively created a Jim Crow/Apartheid like zone in the "Tourist" and business areas that exist in downtown, where the homeless can't sleep, have their belongings, exercise freedom of movement ,and freedom of speech. THe have deprived members of the homeless community of their civil and constitutional rights.

Some in the community, who support these laws, would say their rights have been violated, but I ask how? Have they been harassed, laws enacted against them, rained on, out in the cold, beaten, threatened, intimidated, murdered, and died of health causes. Have they had their property destroyed and homes destroyed (tent slashing)? What threat has the homeless posed, except being visible and vulnerable?

To make matters worse, supposed advocates and homeless service providers have taken no stance on this issue or worse yet have supported the ordinances. Shame on St. Vincent De Paul's blatant support of this ordinance! To do that goes against the very teaching's Jesus on the least of these and poverty, St. Vincent's values and teachings, and the Catholic teaching of justice for the poor.

Then we have, two of the alleged homeless leadership network member, who are city council members, Jamie Bennett and Jeff Dahner, support this ordinance. They should have at least taken the position of the St. Pete Task Force on Homelessness and the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless and abstained from voting. Then advocates proceed to get lectured by a member of City Council on why their efforts were wrong and damaging to the homeless. Since when is it wrong to stand up for people's rights, especially those with the least power and voice. The advocates were then told that they should be out their providing for the homeless' needs and basic services. What an insult! We have been providing shelter, counseling, food, transporation, and financial help for years. We have also done something many others haven't. We have given members of the homeless coummunity a voice, dignity, and become their friends. I count many them as friends. And, many involved in this struggle are currently or formerly homeless themselves. We have not forced or led the community by the nose, but have worked alongside this community and been led by this community. They are us!! Anyone of us could be homeless!

Lastly, we are told that the "homeless" have plenty of services and just want to be there. This is not true! Their are some wonderful services out there indeed, including the Street Outreach Team, Pinellas Hope, ASAP, CASA, Beacon House, The Refuge, Salvation Army and others. However, we have 5200 homeless in this county and only enough shelter beds for 10% to 15% of that number. We are told that the homeless are "bums" and don't want to work. While, in fact, 60% do work and the rest either have physical or mental disabilities. 25% of our Homeless are Vets!.

Unless we change this situation, we will certainly, I believe go the way of a facist type situation in our city, state, and country. Please consider this and get involved in the struggle for Human Rights for all. You can contact me at bgcwright@aol.com or call 727 278 1547. The Refuge's office address is 1818 29th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, Fl. 33713. You can check out these websites www.ppehrc.org, www.freewebs.com/forthehomelessbythehomeless, or www.stpeteforpeace.org/tentcity.html. Thank you, REv. Bruce Wright

Comments

[Don Mott]

One question Reverend, are you letting any of them sleep in your yard and pile their junk in your driveway? They have complete freedom of movement as long as they are moving and not sleeping or loitering in the public right of way. They have freedom of speech as long as they are not cursing and berating people who do not give them money when they beg. You say 60% of them work, well either I've only seen the other 40% or they work night jobs. There are plenty of weekly rental apartments across the county that cost around $150 a week, even if you work for minimum wage this is affordable and you would still have money for food if you work 5 or 6 days a week. I would suspect a large part of the 60% you refer to work day labor and work only when they want to or when they need the money rather than getting up and going to work 5 or 6 days a week like a normal working person. I am sympathetic towards those who have mental or physical disabilities but they are, in my opinion a small fraction of the homeless population.

[20/20]

I know Reverend Wright. And whether or not you agree with the generally accepted viewpoint that all homeless people are drunks, drug addicts, and bums… his zeal for the plight is sincere. The conundrum that prevents us from truly addressing (in part) the problem, is a societal culture that finds it more convenient to accept the spin, and simply dismiss or attempt to hide the problem. This dismissal is not born of malice, rather of a principal belief in “survival of the fittest”. We are all simply too busy dealing with our own problems to deal with our brothers’.

Having said that; the increasing problem of homelessness can be traced back to the Regan administrations’ policy of de-institutionalizing our system, a policy that came to fruition here in Florida during the Jeb Bush administration. (Disclaimer – I impart no partisan label to this)

The fact of the matter is; about 30% of the homeless population are people with mental handicaps, and have nowhere to turn for help. Can they be helped; can they become productive, tax paying members within our society… yes. But it takes a plan, a place, willingness on the part of society, and some good old-fashioned compassion.

Another 30% are those with drug or alcohol addictions with nowhere to turn for help. Can they be helped; can they become productive, tax paying members within our society… yes. But it takes a plan, a place, willingness on the part of society, and notwithstanding their poor life choices – some good old-fashioned compassion.

Another 20% are disabled veterans with health, mental, drug, or alcohol problems as well. And I don’t care what your feelings are about them; there is absolutely no excuse for it. You do a tour and see if you don’t come back with an issue of some sort. And by the way, thank them for defending and/or preserving your right to not care.

About 12% belong in the proverbial “fell on hard times” category. Can they be helped; can they become productive, tax paying members within our society again… yes. But it takes a plan, a place, willingness on the part of society, and notwithstanding their poor life choices – some good old-fashioned guidance and opportunity. As the involved spouse of a schoolteacher, I’ve seen first-hand, students dropped of at school with the future in their eyes; only the very same vehicle they call home dropped them off.

Then there are the remaining 8% who truly wish to be homeless. For them, the only accepted-by-them offering, is a buck or two and a tent city. These are the real “homeless”, because they intend to be.

10-years and 10-million may make for a divine stump speech… but it will not “end” or “eliminate” a problem that has been around since the beginning of time and is a worldwide epidemic. Delineating the causes and addressing the causes on a categorical level with the goal of positive impact, would make for a rational start.

… sorry for the length, this one stuck a nerve.

[Jim Johnson]

20/20

I was working in the system when the mental hospitals were emptied. It wasnt Regan's idea. Democrats controlled the Congress and the explosion in community-based care was the Democrat's handywork.

The problem was, you cant make people take meds, conform to rules, or accept treatment. Every ACLF, half-way house, and relative I know of wont allow the sex, drinking, and drug use many of these people want to engage in, and these people prefer to live on the street where they can do as they please.

Every place on the planet society has rules for what is and isnt acceptable conduct in their community. There are differences from one place to another, but every society organizes itself how it wants things to be. St.Petersburg is no different.

Bums dont get to be tinpot tyrants anywhere I know of.

[Don Mott]

I am curious as to where you derive all of the percentages you speak of. First of all the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Metropolitan Ministries and many others offer support and help for the indigent and mentally challenged. The VA offers services to vets albeit probably not enough. Addicts have the free resources of AA and NA if they truly want to turn their lives around. There is help out there if one truly wants it. But these programs require a change in lifestyle that some do not want to make. And I believe they are a larger percentage than you mention. There are many day labor offices around that provide work for folks who want to actually work but cannot get a full time job. I would like to relate a story I was a part of several years ago. I worked at an automotive shop and for two days we witnessed a couple with a toddler and and a baby in a stroller claiming they were homeless and asking for handouts on the street corner. They appeared to be getting substantial amounts of cash and groceries, obviously because everyone felt sorry for the children. My manager and I decided to do what we could to help and offered the man a part time job cleaning our shop even though we did not need the help. Guess what, we never saw them again. Coincidence? I think not. While this may or may not be typical I guess it enforces the old saying that a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel. In conclusion I would ask you this, would you let them camp out in your front yard and pile their junk in your driveway as they were doing in front of city hall?

[20/20]

Good Day Gentlemen,

First of all, Mr. Johnson, as my disclaimer noted, I assign no partisan tag as to the cause problem. I simply used familiarities as a frame of reference to depict the time period. The fact that deinstitutionalizing began during the Regan administration and culminated here in Florida during the Bush administration is just that; fact. Moreover, I contend that neither “Party” holds a patent on compassion; just as neither holds a patent on Jesus, although one certainly presumes to. Buy I digress.

Just because an honorable goal may be difficult to accomplish, does not me it should be abandoned. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the premise for us remaining in Iraq. As for societal rules and conduct norms, as I’m certain you know, those change over time and are subjective at best. I’d hate to envision a nation that organized itself whereby societal rule made it acceptable to euthanize those who did not follow conduct norms. I suspect a good rule might be to do out best to change the conduct.

Mr. Mott, I stand by my percentages. I would welcome a citable challenge to them if you feel they’re erroneous. My position is not that we don’t do anything to help. My position is that we’ve assimilated the homeless into a less-than palatable light, out of convenience, in order to easy our guilt and validate our inaction.

Anyone who has sacrificed their world to serve in our Armed Forces in defense of our nation should not be homeless; period. At the risk of appearing obtuse, I will not engage in a debate over that position. There simply is no excuse for it.

I too experienced a very similar happenstance as you and your manager. I believe I conceded that some people actually make a conscious choice to be homeless. But as your own admission confirms (“… a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel.”) it is simply convenient for our society to dismiss them all, regardless of circumstance and cause.

In conclusion; I don’t believe my original post made mention of St. Pete, City Hall, or the Mayor and Council members’ action. However, simply moving a problem from one location to another out of political expedience, does nothing to address or solve the problem. The “NIMBY” mentality should never apply to humanity.

[Don Mott]

"The “NIMBY” mentality should never apply to humanity". So will you let them stay in your yard or not? By the way anyone who cites percentages should be ready and able to verify them, if you cannot provide proof to back up your numbers they are worth nothing. And whom might be euthanized?

[20/20]

Mr. Mott,

Whether it is in front of city hall, my house, your house, or Pinellas Hope, my point is that they’re already staying in “our” yard. Simply chasing them out of “our” yard does not address the problem.

As for the percentages; I presented my belief in the ratios and I stand by them. It is you who challenges them. Therefore, the onus is on you to support your challenge and prove they’re worthless. I believe we still operate under the ‘innocent until proven guilty” foundation.

My point with regard to euthanizing was based on the lemming theory. I don’t think the best approach is to just follow the crowd right off the cliff.

[Jennifer W]

Rev. Wright:

How have my rights been violated? Nuisance law. Look it up. You seem to be able to look up the Nuremberg Laws, google OUR country's nuisance law and read about that.

Our city council member is Jeff Danner, not Jeff Dahner. Seems you could have looked that up too.

And while I'm on it, how about using spell and grammar check? There is no excuse for this, especially if you are looking to garner credit and respect when writing to an audience.

I'll end with this: someone once said to me, there are two ways you can live in this world. You can follow the rules of society, even if you don't agree with them, or you can go to jail. And the rules in jail are much more strict.

I choose to follow society's rules, one of which is don't pee on city hall. Another of which is don't steal yellow bikes from Eckerd College and call them your own. And a final one is don't do illegal drugs or be publicly intoxicated.

Your homeless think Pinellas Hope has too many rules? Try prison. It's much worse there.

[Homer]

“I choose to follow society's rules, one of which is don't pee on city hall. Another of which is don't steal yellow bikes from Eckerd College and call them your own. And a final one is don't do illegal drugs or be publicly intoxicated.”

Since that pretty much theoretically describes almost every politician in office to day… we’d have to build 1000 more prisons to house those societal degenerates.

Good call, Jen, start rounding ‘em up!

"Your homeless..."

... I'm out.

[Don Mott]

20/20, Your replies just like your numbers are feeble. "Our" yard does not mean the same as my back yard, "NIMBY", which you stated earlier. And lemmings do not get euthanized they commit suicide so to speak. Once again when someone provides statistics and or percentages it is imperative for them to also provide verification otherwise those numbers are garbage. Nice try with the spin but you need more practice. By the way you still have not answered my question can they stay in your yard?

[Howard Troxler]

Y'all be nice. This issue gets real personal and each person projects his or her own feelings onto the entire class of "homeless." At one end of the spectrum there is a general and admirable compassionate feeling toward The Unfortunate, and at the other, a specific experience based on I Knew One Who Wouldn't Get A Job, or, as our downtown business owners can attest, the opinion that one develops after having to hose away human waste to open your store in the morning.

I can vouch for 20/20's general breakdown of the "homeless" population among the mentally disabled, the addicted, the vets-with-issues, the truly down on their luck, and the "habitually" homeless or whatever label you want to use. Dunno if the precise stats are exact but that IS the composition of the overall population, which means there is no simple answer for dealing with it ("Make them all get jobs," etc.)

My own opinion is that the Rev. Wright is a little overboard here with the "Nuremberg" analogy and that there is to "right" to pile up your stuff anywhere you want. The further step of providing free storage alleviates part of the hardship as well. This does not quite qualify me for membership in the Nazi Party, I hope.

[Larry]

This guy may be a reverend and think he is advocating for the homeless, but look at the situation. The homeless do not have a right to litter the streets with junk. They do not have the right to interfer with legitimate taxpaying businesses and citizens. They do not have the right to create public nusiances. I believe his characterization of the situation is qutie a stretch. They have been offered alternative accommodations. Just because someone chooses to live the homeless life does not bestow on him any rights to disrupt or interfer in the lives and the day to day taxpaying citzenry. I believe the City of St. Petersburg has gone overboard for the homeless, which has in some way contrbuted to the problem. The homeless, just as ordinary citizens, are subject to the rules and regulation of life. The do not have special rights bestowed on them as a result of their homeless situation.

[Howard Troxler]

I am generally with you until the word "chooses." See previous comments about mental illness, addiction, veterans with issues. And involuntary economic hardship. Agreed, some folks "won't" work but that's not the whole story by a long shot.

[80/80]

Don - 20/20 aka Norm generally spews his opinion as fact without any underlying factual support. His percentages are just his general guesses, which amounts to just so much conjecture.

[20/20]

Hello Mr. Mott,

My understanding of this thread is to engage in reasonable discourse. We can certainly agree to disagree. I’ve done my homework on my numbers and as I stated, I stand by them. But if you feel they are erroneous, by all means present your case. Simply asserting that they are false is no more valid than asserting that all homeless people drunken bums.

I do not disagree with your position on the defecation, loitering, or panhandling. I simply state my position as being one that believes that just moving the problem is not a solution to the problem. From my perspective, if we are to truly take steps to address the issue, I believe that it must involve a comprehensive plan that takes into account the varying causes of the problem.

An argument over whether or not I would “let them stay in my yard” is exactly my point. Moving them into my yard, your yard, in front of city hall, ect… does not solve the problem. And my position on “lemmings” is simply my thoughts on how much easier it is to accept conformist stereotypes than it is to look deeper into the root cause.

And, 10:00, please; isn’t there a my-space blog more befitting your intellect? For Heaven’s sakes man/woman/whatever, bring something of substance to the table, or toggle over to Britney’s blog to spew your mistaken and misguided presumptions; “there by adults here!”

Is that you Brian "Write-In" Roche?

[Jim Johnson]

It's safe to say that we really are speaking of the bums when we talk about the homeless. Those with temporary, situational housing problems dont stay homeless and dont draw attention to themselves.

If anyone has a solution for the bum problem they're keeping quiet about it. The bums wont settle for less than cart blanche welfare and license to be vagabonds when and where they please.

Communities do have a right to enforce health and safety standards.

Last year's survey showed about 5,195 people were homeless on any given day in the county, an increase of 10.5-percent over the previous year. Snyder expects another increase this year, because of high housing costs and tough economic times.

"We're getting people losing housing that certainly did not expect to lose housing,'' Snyder said.

--Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer

Posted by tampabaycom at 12:26:20 PM on January 28, 2008

Sure is a lot of Bums losing their houses these day, aya Jim?

[Jim Johnson]

We're not talking about people who lose their homes or divorce or momma throws them out of the house because theyre post-adolescent parasites. We're speaking of bums who panhandle and pee on the sidewalk and sleep in cemeteries and refuse to abide by the rules at homeless shelters. Drunks & druggies.

“It's safe to say that we really are speaking of the bums when we talk about the homeless.”

“Snyder expects another increase this year, because of high housing costs and tough economic times.”

Hmmmm, conflicted… much?

[Don Mott]

OK 20/20 since you won't or can't verify your numbers I will cede to you. Now, since you say that just moving them around does not solve the problem what is your solution? Do you have a comprehensive plan for the varying causes of the problem? As I stated earlier there are are several programs for the mentally challenged, there are VA programs for veterans and there is AA and NA for addicts. Now the only ones not covered are those down on their luck, well for them there is food stamps, welfare and unemployment compensation, if they previously held jobs, which gives them aid until they can get back on their feet. I do agree the mentally ill may not be able to weave their way through the maze to receive the help they need but I believe they are a minority, as you stated 30%, and yes I agree they need help. That leaves 70% who need to grab their boot straps and pull themselves up. As I also stated earlier one can work at the many day labor offices in this county and still afford an efficiency apartment which costs about $150 a week, if one is willing to work 5 or 6 days a week. It is not the taxpayers responsibility to support or house people who do not want to take care of themselves or the property around them. It is not right for taxpayers to deal with the unsightly messes they create and at the same time to realize a devaluation of their property and business values because of that. So what would you propose?

[Jim Johnson]

I read that panhandlers typically make $1 a minute working intersections. A guy I know sells papers in the morning, panhandles till noon, and collects a disability check. He isnt even homeless. Every dime he makes is tax free.

[20/20]

Hello again Mr. Mott,

As I’ve stated several times, my numbers stand, and I welcome any substantive challenge to their veracity. I think we’ve killed that horse, Mr. Mott.

From my perspective, recognizing that there are “varying causes of the problem” is the first step towards developing a comprehensive plan to address the problem. The VA, AA, NA, Work Net, Job Corps, ect… would all be utilized in a comprehensive plan, with adequate and relative support. Instead of using our time, money, and resources to just count them on an annual basis, move them around, and build tent cities – we need to use our time, money, and resources to evaluate individual cause and facilitate the best possible solution for that cause.

As for social programming, I for one, will tell you that I believe that the entire social services program needs to revised, and/or returned to it original intent as a hand-up rather than a hand-out. We simply do not have the space on this blog to delve deeply into the details, but let me present a few points.

1. No more ease in retrieving benefits. If you need them, come and pick them up after a qualifying status review.
2. 1-weeks worth of benefits for 1-day’s worth of volunteering in one of a number of functions. This will lead to a tax break due to a reduction in operating costs.
3. Benefits can only be redeemed at government food stores that supply only generic foods and sundries. No more steak and $4 boxes of cereal. Why allow benefit dollars to net only 3-days of foods and such, when it can be stretched to net a week or more. This will also help eliminate program and services fraud.

There’s more, but those three steps alone could result in as much as a 30% drop off of people on the system. Furthermore, it will result in a cost savings that can be rolled back into the system to help support itself and various other programs. Moreover, we need a stronger economic growth plan that will truly bring better paying jobs to our area. So long as the average pay does not exceed the average amount of benefits, there is no incentive (nor reason for that matter) to get off the system. In here lay another cause of the bigger problem.

[Kay]

20/20 Great comments. I've actually read that the vet homeless population is closer to 25%.
NA and AA are a great support to many people, however, I believe that those programs are much more beneficial to someone who has already had more in-depth treatment.
It is very easy to sit back (like Mott and JJ) and talk about all the programs out there. It is a whole other story when you need the services and have to get yourself through the maze. Especially for someone with limited education and other issues.
For example, I challenge those 2 to call 211. Once you contact someone (it could take several calls/days) see how much FREE help is available to you. I tried it and was shocked at how much more difficult it was than I imagined. This was over 2 years ago and somehow I doubt it's much better now.
I think the new Lockers are a wonderful plan. Accessible johns should also make a world of difference (no one should ever be denied access to a bathroom - it is our most basic need).
We all should at least have the comfort of knowing that when we are our most weary, we are welcome to sleep in a park. I have a home and job and I've done it plenty of times.
Lastly, I believe that many panhandlers are not homeless. But if I am approached, I have the right to give or decline and not once have I been harassed for saying no. As a matter of fact, I'm usually politely thanked. Of course maybe that is because I look them in the eye and give them a smile and a straight answer.
Kay
oh and by the way, if you own a car, forget about even getting food stamps if it is worth anything.