Activism
Frontline Homelessness Workers Have Diverging Views on the Citywide Crisis
Between January to July, the Healthy Streets team, a coordinated response department for homelessness, engaged with 2,961 people living on the streets, but less than a third of those engagements resulted in placements or referrals. Anecdotal reporting across the region suggests that many refuse shelter because facilities take away self-autonomy to go and come as you please, restricts possessions and visitors, and sometimes can be more dangerous and hostile than living on the streets.
By Magaly Muñoz
San Francisco has ramped up its response to the homelessness crisis in the city, but frontline workers who see the issue daily are butting heads on how severe the problem really is.
Randy Shaw, co-founder of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic in San Francisco, told the Post that the media and local activists are not accurately portraying how the city’s homeless people are treated.
Shaw’s nonprofit provides legal and supportive services for low-income Tenderloin residents struggling with housing. The district has one of the worst issues with homeless encampments in the city.
He said advocates are not honest about the number of people refusing shelter everyday and that the bigger problem with homelessness is drug related. He claimed the reason people are refusing shelter is because they are not allowed to use drugs in those facilities and would rather stay on the streets.
Shaw said he doesn’t understand why people come to San Francisco in the first place if they know they can’t afford it and instead stick around to pitch tents and live on the sidewalk.
“If you don’t feel comfortable in a shelter and you don’t have any money, what are you doing here? Why did you come to San Francisco?” Shaw said.
In July, the city offered 469 individuals shelter and services but 355 people declined help, according to SF’s Healthy Streets data. 114 people accepted and were referred to residential placements.
Between January to July, the Healthy Streets team, a coordinated response department for homelessness, engaged with 2,961 people living on the streets, but less than a third of those engagements resulted in placements or referrals.
Anecdotal reporting across the region suggests that many refuse shelter because facilities take away self-autonomy to go and come as you please, restricts possessions and visitors, and sometimes can be more dangerous and hostile than living on the streets.
Shaw also disagrees that criminalizing homeless people by arresting or fining them is somehow worse than allowing crime rates to rise or letting residents feel unsafe in their neighborhoods.
But advocates on the other side of the argument strongly disagree with this viewpoint and how the city is handling the crisis.
“It’s not okay to talk about an entire class of people who are too poor to afford to rent, and then superimpose these kinds of criminal activities on them,” Jennifer Friedenbach said.
Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, said very few people who enter homelessness are on drugs but they may fall into addiction once they are living on the streets.
One-third of people who are homeless have problems with alcohol and/or drugs, according to the American Addictions Center. The Center cites accessibility, self-medication, and prior issues with mental health as factors for substance abuse in homeless people.
Friedenbach told the Post that the most effective way to help people is to offer substance abuse and trauma treatment so that those struggling can begin healing and address the negative consequences drugs have had on their lives.
She emphasized the need for more transitional or permanent supportive housing and criticized the boost in encampment sweeps in the city.
“We’re talking about arresting people for lodging, which is basically sleeping, which is something that every human being needs to do. In order to address that issue people need a safe and decent place to call home,” Friedenbach said.
Mayor London Breed has recently signed an executive order that directs city workers to offer transportation tickets to homeless people before offering shelter and services. The order is meant to remove people who are not originally San Francisco residents and help them return to their family or friends so that remaining resources can go to city natives.
According to data from the Point In Time count, 40% of homeless people surveyed responded that they either came to San Francisco from another California county or out of state and 37% of those who had been previously housed said they had been living in the city for less than a year when they became homeless.
While it remains to be seen if bussing people out of the city will reduce the homelessness population, Friedenbach said much of the conversations surrounding homelessness are being used for political gain.
“This is a way to create a political wedge and demonize the [homeless] population and shift blame from the policymakers’ shoulders onto the backs of homeless people themselves.”
Activism
OPINION: Why the N-Word Should Be Eliminated from Schools: A Call to Educators, Parents and Students
The N-word’s use in schools, intentionally or otherwise, preserves a cycle of racial abuse, degradation, and discrimination which are violations to the dignity of African American students. Its usage perpetuates a legacy of hate and is a dignity violation that makes it a pressing issue for educators to address. Not addressing use of the N word in school contradicts the principles of equity and inclusion that educational institutions strive to uphold.
By Zetha A. Nobles,
The presence and rampant use of the N-word in educational settings poses significant challenges to the social-emotional learning (SEL) and psychological well-being of students and teachers.
The historical and contemporary usage of the N-word carries deep-seated racial connotations and trauma, making it imperative to address its impact in the school environment.
Here’s why the N-word should be eradicated from schools and its detrimental effects on SEL and psychological health.
Historical Context and Significance
The use of the N-word is considered a severe violation of dignity due to its deeply hurtful and dehumanizing nature. The N-word is historically rooted in a long and sordid history of racism, oppression and dehumanization.
It was and is used to dehumanize, degrade, demean and denigrate African American people. Its historical presence is marked by extreme violence and pernicious systemic oppression.
Despite the evolving societal appropriation and the exploitation of the word in hip hop music and other media forms, its controversial use has morphed or mutated into a word now used to signify friendship or endearment.
In schools its use is complex, representing camaraderie, being cool and defiant while consciously and unconsciously dehumanizing African American students and staff.
The N-word has a long history of being used as a tool of oppression and degradation against Black people. It was employed during periods of slavery, segregation, and ongoing racial discrimination to strip individuals of their humanity and reinforce systemic racism.
Its use is a painful reminder of this history and the ongoing struggle against racism. Its impact:
- Dehumanization: When the N-word is used, it reduces Black individuals to a derogatory stereotype, stripping away their identity and worth as human beings. It perpetuates the idea that certain groups are inferior and unworthy of respect and dignity.
- Impact on Self-Worth: Hearing or being called the N-word can have profound psychological and emotional impacts, leading to feelings of shame, anger, and diminished self-worth. It communicates to individuals that they are lesser or undeserving solely because of their race.
- Interpersonal Harm: The use of the N-word in interpersonal interactions conveys disrespect, hostility, and a lack of regard for the feelings and dignity of others. It undermines efforts to build inclusive and respectful relationships.
- Symbol of Structural Injustice: The N-word symbolizes larger societal injustices and inequalities. Its continued use reflects ongoing racial prejudice and discrimination, perpetuating harmful attitudes and behaviors.
Given these reasons, using the N-word is not just a matter of inappropriate language; it represents a significant violation of human dignity and reinforces harmful racial stereotypes and hierarchies. It is crucial to reject and actively challenge the use of this word to promote equality, respect, and dignity for all individuals.
In schools, the word retains its harmful and damaging impact and remains a powerful symbol of racial animosity. The N-word’s use in schools, intentionally or otherwise, preserves a cycle of racial abuse, degradation, and discrimination which are violations to the dignity of African American students. Its usage perpetuates a legacy of hate and is a dignity violation that makes it a pressing issue for educators to address. Not addressing use of the N word in school contradicts the principles of equity and inclusion that educational institutions strive to uphold.
Impact on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-emotional learning is crucial for students’ development as it encompasses the skills needed to manage emotions, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The use of the N-word in schools disrupts this process in several key and critical ways:
- Emotional Trauma: The N-word is a trigger for emotional pain, particularly for African American students and teachers. It can evoke feelings of anger, sadness, shame and humiliation, which hinder the ability to engage fully in the learning process.
- Hostile Learning Environment: A safe and supportive learning environment is essential for effective SEL. The use of the N-word creates a hostile and unsafe atmosphere, leading to increased anxiety, disrespect, and stress among students and teachers.
- Relationship Building: One of the goals of SEL is to foster positive relationships. The use of derogatory language such as the N-word fosters division and mistrust among students and staff.
Psychological Impact on Students and Teachers
The psychological effects of the N-word on students and teachers are profound and far-reaching. For students, especially those of African American descent, the word can lead to feelings of inferiority and exclusion. This not only affects their academic performance but also their self-esteem and mental health. Studies have shown that exposure to racial slurs can increase levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
For teachers, addressing the use of the N-word in the classroom is a significant challenge. It places an emotional burden on them, particularly for teachers of color who may feel personally targeted. The stress of managing such situations can lead to burnout and affect their ability to provide a supportive learning environment.
Strategies for Eliminating the N-Word from Schools
To effectively eliminate the N-word from schools, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Here are some strategies:
- Clear Policies and Consequences: Schools must implement and enforce policies that explicitly prohibit the use of the N-word and other derogatory language. Clear consequences for violations should be established and communicated to all members of the school community.
- Cultural Competency Training: Providing cultural competency and anti-racism training for teachers, staff, and students can foster a more inclusive and respectful environment. This training should include the historical context of the N-word and its impact on individuals and communities as well as alternative language.
- Support Systems: Schools should offer culturally congruent support systems, such as counseling and peer support groups, for students and teachers affected by the use of the N-word. These resources can help individuals process their experiences, mitigate psychological harm and co-create a culture of dignity.
- Community Engagement: Engaging the broader school community, including parents and local organizations, in dialogue about the impact of the N-word can reinforce the school’s commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive environment.
In addition to the moral and ethical arguments against the use of the N-word, there are also legal and policy considerations that support its prohibition in schools. Many school districts have anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies that explicitly prohibit the use of derogatory language, including racial slurs. The use of the N-word in schools can lead to disciplinary actions and legal consequences for both students and staff who violate these policies.
Furthermore, federal laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Schools that fail to address the use of the N-word and other forms of racial harassment may be in violation of these laws, potentially resulting in investigations and penalties from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
Addressing the N-word in educational settings is not just about prohibiting a word; it is about dismantling a symbol of hate and fostering an environment where all students and teachers can thrive.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of September 11 -17, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 11 – 17, 2024
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced Senatorial Candidate Adam Schiff to the congregants of Allen Temple Baptist Church and to a reception of the California Black Elected Officials organization co-sponsored by BWOPA (Black Women Organized for Political Action). Left to right Wanda Williams, Barbara Lee Adam Schiff, Keith Carson, Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Angela Andrews. Photo by Conway Jones, Jr.
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