Criminalization of Homelessness

Criminalization of Homelessness

In this episode Austin is back, and we discuss the recent criminalization of homelessness across the nation, starting with the Grant’s Pass Supreme Court decision and the billionaire founded Cicero Institute that offered an amicus brief in the case and has introduced model legislation across the country to criminalize homelessness. We start off explaining the supreme court case and then getting into the Cicero Institute founded by Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of military tech company Palantir (with Peter Theil). We explore some of the manifestations of this criminalization around the country including the attempt to build an “accountability center” in Utah that would force labor on homeless people. We talk about local criminalization. We talk about the laws and executive order that have made it easier to commit people to institutions involuntarily. Moreover, we discuss the larger picture of why the ruling class has such a vested interest in criminalizing homelessness, also looking into the past to see how almost identical laws were introduced in the early 1700’s in New York City when it was run like a feudal kingdom. We talk more about the past and the similarities between then and now, and how capitalism continues to create the same conditions over and over. With all that we get a little off topic and philosophical towards the end, but I think it was all valuable conversation. I’ve been incredibly busy, but I plan to keep doing more of these! I have another media project I’m working on so stay tuned for news about that. POLICE ATTACK RESIDENTS OF HOOVERVILLE This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowherepod.substack.com [https://nowherepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Narratives of Homelessness - the good, the bad, and the ugly

Austin is back again for another episode, this time to discuss narratives around homelessness online. We get into some areas I wasn’t expecting as much but I think was good discussion, we talk some about the background of the interviews I did with Donny, what ethical storytelling might look like, as well as the narratives pushed by short-form videos online. We talk about the wider lens of it all, the idea that cities are dangerous, and how dangerous these narratives are (the federal gov using some as excuses to occupy entire cities). It’s a wide spectrum, and we go through a few videos to break down what is there (and what isn’t). From non-consensual videos of feeding people on the street, to the inherent issues of Soft White Underbelly, to a content creator that just solicits women on the streets, it’s all bad! With a little (no pun) Joe Rogan thrown in on top. I talk about some of my experience of being gawked at and videotaped while in Slab City. (episode picture from a YT video w 17 million views about “dangerous cities”) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowherepod.substack.com [https://nowherepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Austin - Loss, Grief, and Remembrance

Austin was with me at the dirty kid memorial gathering in New Orleans, and he’s a friend from my days when I was still traveling. He’s a fellow ex-dirty kid, and he is currently working in the non-profit sector in Las Vegas, where he is from, and works on policy around homelessness. Austin talked about his time in the occupy movement, grief for movements, the public grief of those slain by police, and his own personal grief for the recent loss of his father as well as friends who were fellow travelers. We talk about Grant, who Austin was also friends with, and how to remember him. We talk about the different ways we mourn people, how we come together to mourn others, especially those living on the street. We both talk about losing people close to you and not having the space or time or ability to mourn them, when survival of one form or another takes the main slot, and how addiction can play into that. We talk about processing death and needing to have humor, and the necessity of having hope for the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowherepod.substack.com [https://nowherepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Investigating the Murder of Poe Black - Dr. TJ Payne

In this episode I interview Dr. TJ Payne, an independent investigator investigating the unsolved murder of 21-year-old trans man Poe Black that happened in Slab City. So far Payne has talked to family and friends and even traveled to the Slab City area to conduct interviews. Poe Black was a young artist who came to Slab City from Tennessee, seeking community and refuge, arriving at the Flamingo camp that is home to queer folk in Slab City. So far, it is unclear how much Poe’s murder was investigated by local police, but pretty clear that it has been lacking. This story stood out to me not only because I lived in Slab City myself, but because it highlights the harm that already marginalized people can face, and the lack of justice that is a system wide issue. Payne is doing the work to make sure that Poe isn’t forgotten and hopefully finds justice. We talk about the investigation, the wider issues it highlights, and what ethical true crime is. You can read the writings of Dr. TJ Payne at their Substack Personally Curious [https://personallycurious.substack.com/?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Ftj%2520payne&utm_medium=reader2&utm_campaign=reader2] where they have written about the investigation as well as writing about psychology and personality disorders, and more. You can DONATE to the investigation by following this link: Investigation Into the Unsolved Murder of Poe Black | Fundraising by Fractured Atlas [https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/the-murder-of-poe-black-documentary/campaigns/0ac4d5d9-0f25-4f15-97af-4c357f773776] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowherepod.substack.com [https://nowherepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Podcast Update

Just a short update here, nothing too crazy. Going to be pausing for a minute (not too long) also talking about plans for the future, stuff I’m excited about. Moving away from the weekly episode drops towards my older format of publishing episodes as I made them. A lot of it is contingent on finding interviews and stories I think are worthwhile, and taking a minute to get inspired again and refill my creative gas tank. There are a couple interviews in the works now both of which I am really excited about. Good things to come, including a second person I hope to bring on a bit regularly WE SHALL SEE, MORE TO COME, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO THIS YOU’RE ALL AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU <3 f**k the government and may all your sunsets be beautiful This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowherepod.substack.com [https://nowherepod.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]