This weekend I also posted on my Facebook page the August 23, 2020 Statement of Mayor Carter, which was his ask for help and call to action to all levels of government and community partners to address the "unique challenges in Oshawa's downtown that urgently need to be addressed".
Interestingly one individual commented on my post: "What businesses are being affected by the homeless?" and added: "Lets hear from them and the possible solutions they see." When I hadn't responded right away and no one else had either the same individual wrote "No answer, hmmm".
My initial response was 'Good idea', but because it seemed more was wanted from me I wrote the following:
Some may deny being affected. But many businesses I have heard from are aggrieved and seriously concerned about how they are being affected.
However, there is an unfortunate virulent public shaming if they speak up. The many disparaging comments on social media made directly to those businesses who dare to state a grievance become a regular kneejerk attack on almost every thread on social media. They are in the precarious position of being vulnerable to the piling on of the morally authoritative criticisms and calls for public reprisals. Berating business owners that they are not compassionate and that they should be boycotted is unjustified and exacerbates the problem. These attacks prevent dialogue and if there is no dialogue, there will be so solution.
Solutions have to start by recognizing that both sides are vulnerable.
It is wrong to shame the homeless. It is wrong too to shame the businesses for the contextual and environmental conditions that have become detrimental to them trying to grow a business (and now during COVID just to keep their business solvent) in the community where they work, deal with financial risks and emotional pressures to make a living. Concern about the homeless should not prevent and exclude concern for those who work or live in the downtown. The rights and dignity of both need to be respected.
Interestingly one individual commented on my post: "What businesses are being affected by the homeless?" and added: "Lets hear from them and the possible solutions they see." When I hadn't responded right away and no one else had either the same individual wrote "No answer, hmmm".
My initial response was 'Good idea', but because it seemed more was wanted from me I wrote the following:
Some may deny being affected. But many businesses I have heard from are aggrieved and seriously concerned about how they are being affected.
However, there is an unfortunate virulent public shaming if they speak up. The many disparaging comments on social media made directly to those businesses who dare to state a grievance become a regular kneejerk attack on almost every thread on social media. They are in the precarious position of being vulnerable to the piling on of the morally authoritative criticisms and calls for public reprisals. Berating business owners that they are not compassionate and that they should be boycotted is unjustified and exacerbates the problem. These attacks prevent dialogue and if there is no dialogue, there will be so solution.
Solutions have to start by recognizing that both sides are vulnerable.
It is wrong to shame the homeless. It is wrong too to shame the businesses for the contextual and environmental conditions that have become detrimental to them trying to grow a business (and now during COVID just to keep their business solvent) in the community where they work, deal with financial risks and emotional pressures to make a living. Concern about the homeless should not prevent and exclude concern for those who work or live in the downtown. The rights and dignity of both need to be respected.