Myths, Lies, and Mercy

A collection of editorials from a street newspaper written, and published by Eddie Young. They contain his thoughts and perspectives drawn from over a decade of advocating for and organizing the homeless community left to survive beyond the margins of a city in Tennessee. They speak to the unfounded assertions and lies that are used to console the conscience of those who refuse to concede to the systemic injustices that abrogate the poor, iterating coarsely-crafted strategies with no supporting evidence to deflect self-incrimination. Even acts of charity can provide the opiate needed to calm a simmering rebellion. Handing out food and blankets requires no investment nor commitment to change. The changes that can virtually retire the need to hand out food and blankets. "I really don't have a solution for the dilemma at the end of the exit ramp or the painful and sometimes shocking drive through the mission district, but I would suggest this - that we surrender our attempts at trying to hide and justify homelessness and begin facing not only the issue but the people suffering and dying behind it." The homeless watch from their hideouts all the work we put into rehearsing our performances rather than channeling it into the solutions that can end their pain, despair and degridation.