In proudly liberal enclaves, there is sometimes an unspoken alliance between the homeless and the wealthy. The homeless take up residence on street corners and in parks, while powerful neighbors maintain a virtuous silence, either out of respect for self-expression or a desire to turn their unfortunate brethren into a political statement: This city will not hide from sight the victims of an uncaring society.
Something of the sort seems to be at work in Cambridge, where a tent city of local homeless has grown up in Flagstaff Park, led by a well-known street corner bookseller who speaks for himself and his girlfriend in declaring, “This is where we want to be.’’
There are legitimate reasons why some homeless men and women avoid shelters, including fear of theft or assault. And bookseller Kenneth O’Brien, who has spent decades living on the streets, clearly finds support and encouragement from his friends in the city. But all the street savvy of O’Brien and his fellow tent city residents, and all the well-intentioned tolerance of their neighbors, would be much better directed at bringing homeless men and women into a social-service system that offers beds and services. Perhaps these efforts can be improved or redirected, but what’s beyond dispute is that a strong safety net offers far more hope for the homeless than a makeshift encampment.
The tent city in Flagstaff Park may well be a symbol of pride and independence. It may serve to highlight the larger society’s indifference to those with low incomes. But it also suggests that current policies aren’t quite working - and symbolizes an uncomfortable alliance between stubbornness and political correctness.
