Rage Sprints, Unhoused Neighbors, And The Cold Plunge Of The Political World
“No more apologies for a bleeding heart when the opposite is no heart at all. Danger of losing our humanity must be met with more humanity.” (Toni Morrison via Black Liturgies)
Micro Rage:
When grown adults ask you questions you’ve already answered.
Macro Rage:
The way cities/counties/states/the federal government refuse to take easy, fiscally responsible steps to make sure housing is affordable and accessible and then offer criminalization as the only solution to address our unhoused neighbors.
“...a Central Florida Commission on Homelessness study indicating that the region was spending about triple on policing homeless people’s nonviolent rule-breaking as it would cost to get each homeless person a house and a caseworker.” (Vox)
“A 2017 RAND Corporation analysis of the Housing for Health program in LA County concluded that the county saved about 20 percent by putting people with complex mental health issues in supportive housing rather than relying on law enforcement and emergency room visits.” (Vox)
“Before receiving housing, they each averaged nearly $62,500 in public costs annually. Housing them cost less than $20,000 per person—an annual savings of more than $42,000.” (Mother Jones article about Santa Clara County)
Next Wednesday, there will be a hearing about the expansion of a “Civility Ordinance” in Houston. “The Civility Ordinance prohibits certain conduct on sidewalks (lying, sitting or deposing personal possessions) during most daylight hours.”
It’s “another tool” (as one officer said) to criminalize (my words) the unhoused.
I signed up to speak publicly. I am sure it will easily pass, and they are still going to hear me share why it is wrong.
A Small Thing
This morning my weekly strength workout included five sets of 20-second sprints at a 15% incline. I renamed them “rage sprints.” While my lungs burned and I questioned my ability to physically lift my legs one more time, I pushed forward channeling every ounce of rage pulsing through my body. It was exhausting. I haven’t run in 20 years. It was also wildly cathartic.
A Big(ger) Thing
Thanks to social media, there are constantly viral videos of public speakers (at least on my feed, though maybe that’s a particular niche of following activists?). Generally, this process is much more mundane and receives little to no coverage. That said, it is such an important tool. I hate public speaking. The more I do it, the more I hate it. It is not something that comes naturally. It is not something I get better at the more I do it. Generally, I sound winded, like Janine from Abbott Elementary. Still, I keep doing it. Everyone should. It’s terrifying but good for you. Like the cold plunge* of the political world.
*I have no idea if cold plunges are good for you, but apparently it’s a thing.