I’m really concerned about the leadership of the organization after realizing that you’re partnering with groups like the Portland Police Bureau to have a column in the newspaper.
As a dedicated anarchist, I believe the quickest way to overcoming oppression and capitalism is to alienate all institutions working with people experiencing homelessness — including shelters, affordable housing groups, and others.
I’ve suspected SR of being sell-outs for a long time, but after reading the newspaper over the past few months, me and my friends are convinced of it now.
From now on, I will be supporting vendors, and still reading the newspaper, but I will be encouraging all my friends to join a silent protest of SR leadership.
Masked Man, NE Portland
Starting new paper that cares about the homeless,
After moving here from the Midwest, and taking several classes at Portland State University on Marxism and starting to understand the relationship between capitalism and poverty — I’m convinced that the model Street Roots is using is counterproductive to a people’s led revolution.
Over the past several weekends I’ve gotten to know many people on the streets and have become an expert on understanding what homeless people need and want in our community. In my opinion, it starts with overthrowing the government.
I think your publication is a tool that actually allows people on the streets to make money through capitalism, and your advocacy should be called out.
I thought you should know that I will be personally leading a Friday night discussion at a local coffee shop about ways to start another homeless paper in Portland.
It’s my hope that the new publication will be Marxist focused, free and will actually allow people on the streets to understand what they actually need.
I’m hoping the publication will come out sometime in April, and will run until at least summer break when I will have to go with friends traveling around Europe to better understand how socialism works there. When I get back, I will continue working with people on the streets at least until finals, and then spring break next year. Hopefully by then, a people-led revolution will have occured and all of this will be a moot point.
Power to the people!, Weekend Warrior
Dear poverty pimps,
It’s become clear to me over the past year that SR has become poverty pimps and are way too close to powerful institutions in Portland.
The idea that you would somehow try to work with a broken system to help homeless people is appauling.
Mad at the world, NW Portland
Dear need to work harder,
I wanted to write and say why don’t you do more for the community. I find many of the articles really informing, and have come to respect that you’re covering many important topics. I love the vendors. Still, it’s not enough, and if you worked harder, or possibly smarter than maybe Portland would have a decent street newspaper week in and week out.
Mixed messages, Downtown Portland
Note: SR writes a satirical edition of the paper each April 1.
