Any bloggers at the Homeless Forum?

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Any bloggers at the Homeless Forum?

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Wed, 12/06/2006 - 10:52pm.

I had to leave the forum early, hopefully there are some bloggers that can clue me in as to what went on after I left around 7:30. Dang the last bus to Tacoma.

Crenshaw Sepulveda's blog
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how was it Cren?

Submitted by bubbaz (not verified) on Wed, 12/06/2006 - 11:17pm.

how was it Cren?

a fine program until I left

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Wed, 12/06/2006 - 11:33pm.

I had to take off early, but the first half hour was very interesting. A good crowd there, some faces I knew and some I didn't. I wish I could have stayed for the entire program. I guess I better start looking for that apartment in Olympia.

"I would make it impossible for the covetous and avaricious to utterly impoverish the poor. The rich can take care of themselves."
^@^

my thoughts

Submitted by enpen on Wed, 12/06/2006 - 11:49pm.

I thought it went very well. It was pointed out on several occasions, though, that the room wasn't exactly filled with people who disagree, or are ignorant about the current state of affiars. That being said, I think it may well go down as an excellent social networking catalyst. A sterling point: we (the concerned) should all make a point of talking about these issues with people over the coming weeks. Education through familiarization.

"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."

thanks

Submitted by Crenshaw Sepulveda on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 12:00am.

While you can hope for a crowd of people other than advocates for the homeless, it is good to know that communication and education was stressed during the forum. You can write all you want on a blog, you can comment to the Olympian, but if you aren't face to face with people, talking about this issue the issue will continue to be abstract in people's minds. I'm surprised at how many times during a day I am able to talk about this issue both with people I know and with strangers.

"I would make it impossible for the covetous and avaricious to utterly impoverish the poor. The rich can take care of themselves."
^@^

intention vs. execution?

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 7:27am.

Was this the forum, whose intention was talked about here and announced here?

If so, I'm wondering how well it brought together folks from all around the topic rather than from one side. I'm not trying to be too critical, but my understanding was that the point was to bridge gaps between the camps, not have everyone on one side get together.

in answer

Submitted by enpen on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 2:55pm.

Yes, this was the forum whose intention you twice linked.

The Olympian had a reporter there who wrote about it for today's run. Aside from that reporter's employer stating support for the ordinance, I don't personally have any knowledge of any ordinance supporters being in attendance. If they were, they certainly did not make their voices and/or presence known. That being said, I think that speaks to the heart of the problem here: most of the people who support the ordinance don't want to dialogue with members or representatives of our poor and/or homeless community when doing so makes them feel demonized (ironic, no?).

I have no idea whether or not local businesses who support the ordinance were contacted about having a representative speak and be available for questions. My bias creeps in here as I'm staring at my words fumbling over ways to say that I think the Downtown Business Association would refuse even if they were asked to participate. But there it is. I feel like the debate between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington regarding standing up and out or fighting hard by fitting in is alive and well in every civil rights battle.

"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."

my own biases

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 3:13pm.

To be able to say "most of the people who support the ordinance don't want to dialogue with members or representatives of our poor and/or homeless community" and "I have no idea whether or not local businesses who support the ordinance were contacted about having a representative speak and be available for questions" is a bit incongruent. It would be pointless to hold a meeting, if you expected folks from the other side to attend, until you knew they would attend.

I know its my own biases, but this meeting seemed to be pulled together very quickly and didn't seem to have the intention of pulling from both sides.

As a side note, no one should be made to feel demonized in a setting where open discussion is the goal. I guess until we can get past that, we have to settle for the status quo.

incongruent truant

Submitted by enpen on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 6:18pm.

Yeah, it's partially incongruent. Members of our community for the ordinance need not be members of the Downtown Business Association, though.

As far as the demonization is concerned, I agree. And really that's just a deduction on my part from reading the Olympian's portrayal of the City Council meeting (my guess for the local news source for the vast majority of our community). At this point I would assume that a lot of pro-ordinance folks would be worried about being booed and called evil should they decide to show up and speak up. I think Phil mentioned the possibility of a future round table (I heard mention of it last night) with community members of all backgrounds being present. I think that may be a nice start for getting all sides involved in on the discussion.

"Anybody who doesn't know that politics is crime has got a few screws loose."

Of course..

Submitted by bubbaz (not verified) on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 6:31pm.

It certainly appears as if the voice of business has not had a chance to be heard..

We just need to do more on our part to open up and embrace them and their doublespeek..

Like a big group hug..

Snuggle perhaps?

Last night was good.

Submitted by Rob Richards on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 11:03am.

As one of the speakers, I may be a bit biased, but I thought the turnout was great. We were preaching to the choir, but sometimes the choir needs to be preached to. If we're going to pass a referendum or defeat Doug Mah in his upcoming Mayoral campaign, we have to be unified and mobilized. Oh, by the way, I hear that Grace Cox is going to run against him, everybody should encourage and support her. Go Grace!

"Everybody who imitates Christ is a fake Jesus." –Alan Watts

Nice quote in the Olympian, Rob!

Submitted by jlw on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 11:22am.

I always love Jacques Cousteau metaphors. Sorry I missed the forum.

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