The Hopeful Pragmatist
This week on the show, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa discuss a whole host of issues ranging from renaming monuments and federal landmarks to criminalizing the unhoused in Oregon. Tying it all together is hope - who has greater access to hope that things will change?
Word of the Week [1:20]: Homeless to Unhoused. If we're being totally transparent, we've probably been raised and socialized to place a negative value on those who experience homelessness, or houselessness. Let’s talk about it.
Phase 1 [5:01]: Rename It. Whether it's in response to mascots, statues, buildings, or transportation, renaming things has become a norm when new or negative information is discovered. Mount Blue Sky in Colorado is no different.
Phase 2 [17:44]: Criminalizing the Unhoused. Grants Pass, Oregon passed a city ordinance enabling local police to ticket their unhoused community. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in this case and a prior case (from Boise, ID), that criminalizing sleeping in public places when there is no where else to go is a violation of the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. SCOTUS hears the case this week and Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna are not optimistic. The comfort of people with houses will likely prevail over those who are truly marginalized.
Phase 3 [33:18]: The Privilege of Hope. After a curious tweet about Brittney Griner's financial need to play basketball in Russia, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa dive into their divergent takes on their hope that humans will treat each other better.
Referenced in the show:
US renames five places that used racist slur for Native Americans
