At this morning’s post-Urban Plunge press conference, four of the seven mayoral candidates were there to answer questions about their night out on the streets. David Briley, Karl Dean, Buck Dozier, and Howard Gentry all looked a bit tired and unusually disheveled, especially if you’re used to seeing them at forums and campaign appearances in their Sunday best.
The room was packed with the press and the homeless but the questions came only from the homeless. Thanks to Matt Leber and Nashville’s Homeless Power Project, our homeless community are growing into their empowerment and they were hungry to have their questions answered satisfactorily. And when David Briley tried to clarify the purpose of the event – was it a forum or a press conference and could they please take questions from the press? – it became blindingly clear that the questions coming from the homeless community were more than adequate and much more meaningful – What will you to do fix the problem now? Were you able to get water from a business last night? What will you do about the police who harass us when we panhandle, sleep on a bench, sleep in a park, or sleep under the train tracks? What did you learn from last night’s experience? Are you all Christians? (I didn’t see Jamey Tucker there so I’m not sure the press would have asked this one.)
Each man seemed genuinely moved by their experience and appeared to have learned something new about the issue. Buck Dozier absolutely wants to get the faith-based community more involved. Karl Dean was struck by the sheer number of homeless he encountered and believes we need to do something to help right now instead of waiting for housing to be built. Howard Gentry insisted that housing is the key and it’s impossible to solve the problem without it. David Briley was not aware of tent city until last night and now feels the sense of conflict that surrounds the solution to the problem more intensely. Briley’s negative experience at the Rescue Mission also made him realize that the Mission needs a seat at the table when discussing this issue.
Two things were agreed upon by all – wrap around services are key and the recommendations of the Purcell’s Homeless Task Force need to be implemented.
It was confirmed today that both Kenneth Eaton and Bob Clement have also agreed to take The Plunge in late July.
Audio
Cathie Buckner of the Homeless Power Project on David Briley’s Altercation at the Mission (00:02:13)
Richard of the Homeless Power Project on Howard Gentry (00:01:20)
Karl Dean on his experience (00:01:25)
Howard Gentry on his experience (1:24)
Full conference (00:24:30)
I agree with all the candidates that something needs to be done about the homeless problem not only in Nashville, but other communities as well. Having been on the street back in 2005, I know exactly what these people go through & although I worked part-time for only $6 an hour, I still had to sleep in my car because local relatives had no room for me and at the church I attended, nobody within the congregation offered me a place to stay, but 50 families from this church offered their homes to evacuees from hurricane Katrina which was unfair and I no longer attend this church regularly & am still seeking a new church home. If everyone had to go through this for just one night or two, it would not take long to find out how just how insensitive some people are which includes some church pastors that I had to deal with.
I know it was a photo op, but I think it is great that the candidates did this. It sounds like there was some sincere eye opening to the reality and the scope of the problem.
Plus, no one turned gay in the process, so I’m all for it.
[...] Mary Mancini reports from the Homeless Power Project press conference following the participation of four of our Mayoral candidates in the Urban Plunge, an experiment where the candidates lived overnight as homeless men to get a better understanding of their plight. Each man seemed genuinely moved by their experience and appeared to have learned something new about the issue. Buck Dozier absolutely wants to get the faith-based community more involved. Karl Dean was struck by the sheer number of homeless he encountered and believes we need to do something to help right now instead of waiting for housing to be built. Howard Gentry insisted that housing is the key and it’s impossible to solve the problem without it. David Briley was not aware of tent city until last night and now feels the sense of conflict that surrounds the solution to the problem more intensely. Briley’s negative experience at the Rescue Mission also made him realize that the Mission needs a seat at the table when discussing this issue. [...]