Why Not Tents?

The picture in the Missoula Current of volunteers erecting a new camp for the houseless is both/at once terrifying and heartening. Such is the state of humanity in late capitalism. A combination of outrage and empathy pressures the system to find a "solution", however temporary, to The Problem ( public relations disaster, property values, public health, define it according to your ideology) Marshalling effort, technology and readily available materials, an instant, efficient camp is erected. This scene is enacted across the globe as humanitarian agencies erect massive refugee camps for the displaced and dispossessed. "We know it's not the answer" say the "celebrating housing advocates. "The camp wouldn't be necessary in a perfect world" writes the well-meaning liberal reporter. Migrants press at the edge of camps that become permanent. or catch on fire. Or get raided by fascists. Because a "perfect world", where everyone is housed, is so unreasonable, so utopian and idealistic. How could it possibly be? The Poor Will Always Be With Us is the Christian mantra. A world divided into winners and losers goes the neoliberal capitalist mantra. "The answer" is too far out of bounds to contemplate so we "celebrate" the tents and porta potties. Donate items. Pitch in to help. Because you can't have frozen people dying in the streets of the wealthiest nation in the history of the planet. That too would be unacceptable. People would start to question "the system", adding to that growing list of "systemic" problems (racism, inequality, hunger, etc) What the starry eyed call injustice. And so we call on charity, that tiny kernel of selflessness, altruism, sympathy or philanthropy (possible tax exemptions?), latent in the late-capitalist heart, to relieve misery in the present moment. Not to be confused with "mutual aid", the material exchange being one-sided. But truly heartfelt. And terrifying. Drop a coin in the Salvation Army bucket. Meet the eyes of the freezing bell ringer. It's not going to get better.