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Originally Posted by davequanbury
Hey man, I don't know where you got this idea from. I was mocking you for saying there was racism against white people because I just think its a ridiculous concept. I was also ribbing you over your assertion that homeless people are just lazy and don't want to work because I think that is a troubling opinion that shows a lack of understanding of addictions and trauma.
I didn't mean that you were being racist towards people experiencing homelessness. sorry for the confusion. FYI in two recent homeless point in time counts, about 70% of individuals were of Indigenous descent. So, in fact it is safe to say they are quite over represented. And yes, many many people experiencing homelessness have addictions and participate in various informal economic practices such as sex work, you aren't wrong about that.
Bottom line is, when people express ignorance about homeless people we can see that it leads to more resistance to evidence-based initiatives to help them such as Housing First or other supportive or supported housing models. When folks such as you denigrate individuals experiencing homelessness by suggesting they are somehow flawed in character rather than the products of systemic discrimination and or bad luck, it sets us in the homeless serving sector back because we need public support for the investment of money to help them. It may be easy for you to see "drug dealers and prostitutes" that would rather not work, but do a little soul searching and perhaps educate yourself about the issue.
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Ok. Where did I say anything about running down homeless People? Seriously. ... The people that the Marly gets these days are not homeless. And last time I checked I did not see a homeless encampment outside it.
The fact I know of the homeless encampments that most didn't even know existed under St Mary's or along those tracks. Shows that I obviously have been there. I don't walk to the opposite side of the street when I see a homeless person. I don't avoid them either. If they want to talk I'll sit there and chat it up with them. One of the reasons I learned so much this past winter about the new homeless people which had jobs and homes before this covid crap. I met a young couple on one of my hikes on the river and they were well dressed still. It living in a tent. They were polite and obviously embarrassed but they told me their story which was very sad to say the least. Even the folks at the lights asking for money. If I ha e it I'll give it. I know most likely it will go to booze but hey, if I were in their shoes I'd be drinking aswell.
I actually had highschool friend's that ended up doing prostitution. Luckily most got out of it.
I also know the drug rings very well. But that's as far as I'll go with that.
My point is that Hotel needs to refit, it's not social housing. It never was. Speaking of which, what about the building next to it which the Federal government have to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs? Are they actually using all those 14 or so floors ? If not why are they not making it into housing for the low income, they can help tbeir people which would probably work alot better then the Fed's doing it. And I say that in a kind way.