The Occupy Movement and the Homeless Community

As the Occupy movement is growing across America, there has been an interesting link between it and the homeless community. Many Occupiers are sympathetic to the plight of the homeless, and the allure of free food, free clothing, and a sympathetic ear just for marching would have to have appeal for most of this community, a community hard hit by unemployment and the housing and job crisis.

Many Occupy groups have been specifically attempting to reach out to the homeless community, not in hopes of swelling their ranks, but in hopes of continuing to give a voice to the voiceless. The biggest concern, of course, has been the fact that a large percentage of the homeless population suffers from mental illness. Different Occupy groups have had problems with violence from some of the homeless who come for free meals and clothing, and have instituted night watches to help mitigate their problems.

Still, these are problems that any community has, not just a temporary one. As the Occupy movement grows, they are discovering themselves subject to some of the same flaws of society in general. And, in my opinion, understanding the logistics of how to successfully run their own society is helping them to find some of the answers as they formulate plans on how to affect change. To put it simply, the Occupy movement consists largely of experimental communities who are succeeding despite the pressures around them, not because of them.

While there will always be a certain uneasiness between some within the Occupy movement and the homeless community, the homeless community also helps to remind them why they are there. After all, how can they claim to speak for the disenfranchised if they won't even invite them into their camp?