Homelessness and Anger in Banning

Hi. I’m Woodrow. I live in Banning.

I’m writing here to speak to the residents of Banning about the homeless problem that has crept into the city and continues to grow. Many people have spoken about this problem and given their perspective. Many people are angry. I believe some of that anger is justified but misdirected towards these unhoused people or previous city councils or larger government agencies or even our fellow residents.

Funneling Anger

I believe that anger is justified. But I also believe that we need to direct our anger, and honestly, our sadness, our despair, our fear - our fear that we may be next - direct all of that in a productive direction.

Be angry at the city, county, and state, yes, for not doing an adequate job of tackling the problem. Be angry at the federal government for not doing enough either. Ultimately, though, be angry at the systems in place that permeate our country, state, county, and city. Not just our city, but all cities. Not just our state, but all states.

Be angry that people working full time can’t make ends meet. Be angry that mental health care and drug addiction recovery is out of reach for most of the people that need it, or are riddled with inhumanity and blame. Be angry that our governments don’t provide for people in need and instead blame the victims.

The Uselessness of Government

Look at Banning. 1 out of every 5 people live below poverty. 1 in 5 people are living paycheck to paycheck or worse. 1 in 5 people are teetering on the edge of homelessness. If you live in Banning, there is a 20% chance that is you. I’m sure many of you are angry, sad, tired. But again, I believe some of that anger may be misdirected. Be angry, yes, but mold that anger into an unstoppable productive force.

It is clear our city, our state, our country, is unwilling to do what is necessary to lift up those in our community which desperately need that lift. It is clear after years and years of the problems getting worse and nothing being done that the problem is not cultural, not about the individuals, not about a lack of bootstraps, but is systematic.

The system is working as intended. Begging cities and states to do something is no better than yelling into a void, no better than arguing with a brick wall. We need to stop wasting our energy. Despite what we are told, the government is not here to help those in need. Ultimately, the government serves those who already have and want more.

Organizing Our Community

So what can we do? If our government won’t help, who do we turn to?

We turn to each other. We stop staring into the void, watching the train speeding towards us, and instead organize together, as a community, as a neighborhood, as a block. We stop being afraid of talking to neighbors. We form groups of friends and neighbors and dedicate some of our time and resources to helping each other. We lend a helping hand. We ask for help when needed. We feed and clothe each other, including the unhoused. We band together to demand livable wages. We get creative. We do it all without asking for anything in return from each other. We do this work selflessly to lift each other up out of this void that we are all living in, whether we like to admit it or not. We do it because we know the government isn’t here to help. And we all know that we could very well be that unhoused person in 6 months if fortune doesn’t favor us.

This community-based work is a part of us already, a part of humanity’s history. We just need to tap into it and the power it gives us to enact change in our lives, to lift each other up, and force change in the institutions that oppress. Some call this community organizing mutual aid. Whatever the name, history has shown that it works to affect change in communities.

So reach out to neighbors, get phone numbers, identify useful skills in each other, have a BBQ. Discuss problems in your neighborhood and how to solve them directly by working together. Don’t expect help from the government or its tentacles. Expect the opposite. Ignore the government to the best of your ability, and funnel your anger directly into the change you want to see. Ultimately, this is about neighbors working together to better each others’ lives. Talk to a neighbor today.