Gimme Shelter: The Housing Crisis
Anatole France, Nobel Prize winner wrote, “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” During the on going Great Recession, millions have lost their homes. Many of those who have ended up homeless, are living, if you can call it that, in the streets. You can see them from Santa Monica to Madison Ave to Vancouver in Canada. In Boulder, where I live, every morning, they emerge from behind bushes and from under bridges. It is shameful giving the level of wealth that so many are without shelter. The U.S. spends billions maintaining military bases all over the world and has 11 aircraft carrier battle groups roaming the seven seas but at home people don’t have a roof over their heads.
Speaker
Max Rameau
Max Rameau is a community organizer. He is Executive Director of Movement Catalyst. He helped establish Take Back the Land which organizes resistance to foreclosures and assists families to stay in their homes. He works on a broad range of issues impacting the poor such as housing, immigrant rights, economic justice, and Cop Watch.
Annie –
I minister in Word and song at two missions in downtown LA two to three times a week, and it’s appalling to me to have to witness people living on the streets; but no one seems to have an answer to this problem. One of my fellow ministers told me that the missions just do not have the room to house everyone who comes through their doors. Then, I heard the last five minutes of Mr. Rameau’s lecture, and I realized that he does have the answer to the homeless problem. Mr. Rameau, Is there an organization in LA that I can get involved with?
Birda –
Heard you on Alternative Radio. You said it so clearly and well. Never said better. It could make the stones weep…the mountains dance. I am ordering it and will pass it around. You are brilliant as life has brought you…the experience, vision…And the words come forth.
Hopefully a few remain who are not deaf…
Roberta Gould
Douglas Tooley –
I was just tuning in as Mr. Rameau was beginning his speech and so missed a bit of it – but his general points regarding segregation/human rights and gentrification are important to reflect upon – as well as not completely consistent (gentrification decreases segregation, no?) That said, his solution of community land trusts is the way to go, though I personally would not want to live in a neighborhood that was 100% housing trust owned…
Kathryn Elliott –
Providing the historical context for social movements and how it relates to homelessness and housing as a human right – brilliant, intelligent, and a call to action. A very substative talk for anyone who wants to see social change occur.
Linda Jupiter –
Fabulous talk by Mr. Rameau. Completely brilliant thinker who is doing important, inspiring work.