Elmont and Alice not only are two of my favorite characters, but are even more relevant today, than when they were first drawn. They are indeed the Conscience of Lafayette Park – and parks, streets, and alleys throughout the country.
And, just like when this strip was first drawn, no-one has an actual solution to their difficulties.
We have shelters they won’t stay in, rehab programs they won’t go to, and overpasses no-one wants to see them staying under.
And the advocates for the homeless say what they need is more money. Which anyone who’s spent 5 minutes talking with a homeless person knows will only help to a degree.
And we all “know” that the problem started when the government closed down the long-term psychiatric facilities. We forget that many of those places were really horrors, and this strip pre-dates that event. It seems that the biggest benefit of those places was that they kept “the problem” out of sight of “decent people”.
Living in NYC, I saw that homeless could be put in several categories.
First come the psychologically disabled. They clearly need help. They have problems that make it next to impossible for them to function in society.
Second come the substance abuse. They have to overcome their addiction/addictions before they solve other problems facing them.
Third come the economic unfortunate: These people fall into two category: Those who have become economically obsolete and the working homeless. The obsolete were once functioning and self-reliant members of society but the jobs they have no longer exist: elevator operators, stevedores.The working poor have jobs that don’t pay enough to afford housing in certain cities: cashiers, stock boys. The working homeless used to be a problem in large cities. When I worked as an assistant manager of a drugstore in NYC, I knew some of my employees were homeless.
After the Great Recession it became a problem in suburban areas:
Money can’t solve the problem unless there are policies that are directed at the causes of the problem. Policies can’t solve the problem unless they are backed up by the needed resources.
BE THIS GUY over 6 years ago
There are donuts and coffee in the break room.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault over 6 years ago
Talking snow piles
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 6 years ago
I do love the voice from the snowdrift in the final panel.
Rosette over 6 years ago
Elmont is one of my favorite characters.
nyssawho13 over 6 years ago
Elmont must unbury Alice first!
Linguist over 6 years ago
Elmont and Alice not only are two of my favorite characters, but are even more relevant today, than when they were first drawn. They are indeed the Conscience of Lafayette Park – and parks, streets, and alleys throughout the country.
jeffiekins over 6 years ago
And, just like when this strip was first drawn, no-one has an actual solution to their difficulties.
We have shelters they won’t stay in, rehab programs they won’t go to, and overpasses no-one wants to see them staying under.
And the advocates for the homeless say what they need is more money. Which anyone who’s spent 5 minutes talking with a homeless person knows will only help to a degree.
And we all “know” that the problem started when the government closed down the long-term psychiatric facilities. We forget that many of those places were really horrors, and this strip pre-dates that event. It seems that the biggest benefit of those places was that they kept “the problem” out of sight of “decent people”.
running down a dream over 6 years ago
kinda funny but in reality she would have been dead.
BE THIS GUY over 6 years ago
@JEFFIEKINS
Living in NYC, I saw that homeless could be put in several categories.
First come the psychologically disabled. They clearly need help. They have problems that make it next to impossible for them to function in society.
Second come the substance abuse. They have to overcome their addiction/addictions before they solve other problems facing them.
Third come the economic unfortunate: These people fall into two category: Those who have become economically obsolete and the working homeless. The obsolete were once functioning and self-reliant members of society but the jobs they have no longer exist: elevator operators, stevedores.The working poor have jobs that don’t pay enough to afford housing in certain cities: cashiers, stock boys. The working homeless used to be a problem in large cities. When I worked as an assistant manager of a drugstore in NYC, I knew some of my employees were homeless.
After the Great Recession it became a problem in suburban areas:
http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/28/15490042-employed-but-still-homeless-working-poor-say-homelessness-can-happen-to-anybody
Money can’t solve the problem unless there are policies that are directed at the causes of the problem. Policies can’t solve the problem unless they are backed up by the needed resources.
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member over 6 years ago
That voice in the last panel is from his invisible friend.