Unpacking the 2020 Point in Time Count | P
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$ Issue 64 UNPACKING THE 2020 POINT IN TIME COUNT | P. 10 Suggested 2 Donation For affordable and easy parking try PARKING OKC Garages are safe, well lit and have great access to the OKC Streetcar, EMBARK bus, and Spokies. Sheridan/Walker 501 W. Sheridan EXPLORE THE CITY YOU LOVE WITH SPOKIES! Arts District It’s easy and fun with bikeshare! 431 W. Main Simply checkout, unlock, ride, and return. $ To Unlock 1 THEN 12¢/MIN $ 3-Hr Rides 9 12¢/MIN AFTER 3-HRS Century Center 100 W. Main See more pass options, To view all parking options visit download the app and more at spokiesokc.com parkingokc.com Station and bike touch points including Picking up food from a restaurant downtown? touchscreens, handlebars, brakes, seats, and seat Look for FREE Food Pick-up only on-street adjustment lever are sanitized every other day. parking near the restaurant. LIMITED TIME ONLY For affordable and easy parking try A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR PARKING OKC JULY 2020 >> Nathan Poppe discusses the latest Point in Time Count, Black Garages are safe, well lit and have homelessness and lending a hand in 2020 4 Lauren Palmer shares advice on great access to the OKC Streetcar, having a conversation about racism EMBARK bus, and Spokies. 6 George Lang explores the role of empathy during a pandemic 10 Explore 2020 Point in Time Count results and what they mean for OKC 16 A behind-the-scenes look at how the 2020 Point in Time Count came together 24 Examining historic barriers and systemic causes of Black homelessness 30 Spike Lee discusses his new film and discusses race and rage in America Sheridan/Walker 34 On the Move highlights Anita who 501 W. Sheridan ended her homelessness May Cruz conducts the Point in Time Count survey in downtown OKC on the morning of Jan. 23. [Photo by Nathan Poppe] re there two Oklahoma Cities? I was sitting inside the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City’s offices and Valerie Thomp- son brought up the idea as we ended an interview. “Your re- COVER CREDITS: OKC graphic designer EXPLORE THE CITY ality is not the same reality as everyone in OKC,” she said. Her William Muschinske handled layout and design. A Inspiration for the cover came from the idea that words have stuck with me for months. Why? Because I think numbers have a lot to say. They represent human she’s right. There’s the camera-ready version of OKC that’s beings that are fighting every single day to break YOU LOVE WITH ready for “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and another reality where people the chain of homelessness. don’t know where their next meal is coming from. It’s complicated, and it takes work to recognize and wrestle with both. “I’m honored to help on an issue that gives SPOKIES! people representation and helps with community If there’s a silver lining to 2020, I hope it’s given you time to slow down, focus awareness,” William said. “We’re only as strong Arts District on what’s essential and take note of people who were impacted during the as our weakest link. It’s our future, and we must It’s easy and fun with bikeshare! 431 W. Main pandemic. Think of this as a chance to practice empathy and to understand build it together.” how tough times are likely going to put more people closer to poverty. We Simply checkout, unlock, ride, and return. have three stories in this issue focused on the annual Point in Time Count — think of it as a census for people experiencing homelessness in OKC. We share the count to not only get an estimate of how many people are living outside but also to document the massive outreach effort letting our neigh- bors know help exists. We took a close look at Black homelessness and how systemic issues are persisting and changing in our community. The PIT Count $ To Unlock continues to change how I look at my city. I hope it does the same for you. 1 THEN 12¢/MIN I imagine this issue might leave you with one question: How can I help? Well, you’ve already done an incredible thing by having a conversation with a Curb- side vendor and opening this magazine. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long Director Ranya Forgotson way. Beyond that, consider following the Homeless Alliance online for dona- Nathan Poppe $ 3-Hr Rides tion campaign announcements when it gets exceptionally hot or cold. There’s Editor-in-Chief Whitley O’Connor 12¢/MIN AFTER 3-HRS Century Center also volunteer opportunities. Thanks as always for your support, and I’ll look Advertising 9 forward to seeing you right here next month. Oh, and a special thanks to Stitch David Delgado Vendor Coordinator 100 W. Main who re-designed our logo. Address: 1724 NW 4th St. OKC, OK 73106 See more pass options, General inquiries: 405-415-8425 To view all parking options visit 405-628-2367 download the app and more at The Curbside Chronicle is Oklahoma City’s street paper. Vendor assistance: parkingokc.com It was created to provide both a voice and employment Email: [email protected] spokiesokc.com for people experiencing homelessness. Our vendors buy magazines at 75 cents per issue and sell them for Follow us on social media at @CurbsideOKC a suggested $2. They keep the profit. Thanks for your Station and bike touch points including Picking up food from a restaurant downtown? NATHAN POPPE support in ending homelessness in OKC. touchscreens, handlebars, brakes, seats, and seat Look for FREE Food Pick-up only on-street A PROGRAM OF THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE adjustment lever are sanitized every other day. parking near the restaurant. LIMITED TIME ONLY GOOD TO KNOW Practical advice from passionate people guage to describe my ancestry and the ways I felt walking through the How to talk about world daily. By Lauren Palmer My interest peaked in Anthropol- systemic racism ogy classes I attended in college, but I quickly realized the depth I longed for was not available to me. > Welcome to our column, Good to Know. The idea is to explore topics — in a quick and Specifically, we rarely discussed the easy way — that can be part of your everyday life. We hope it'll both entertain and educate relationships between Blacks and a broad collection of readers who are mindful about everything from food and fun to politics Whites in the U.S. and never thor- and public transportation. oughly. In fact, the history in my core univer- sity classrooms was ethnocentric — Where do you even begin a con- there are a few key postures to hold based mostly on Western European versation about systemic racism? that make you a thoughtful and ap- stories. Creating opportunities for First, you must own that systemic preciated contributor to this con- myself to engage stories and ideas racism affects us all — regardless versation. Consider the following from BIPOC has become a part-time of race, education, status or even practices when you’re talking about job, completed in the wee hours of your conscious awareness. This is race. the night and on weekends after the foundation. If you haven’t grap- coming home from my floral design pled with that fact, I encourage you Be fully humble. Abandon any ego- studio. My initial research became a to begin there. This takes work, as centrism or ethnocentrism. catalyst for the bold, beautiful work you may feel like you have a han- that my sister and I get to lead in, all dle on the topic. Chances are you Hone your empathy. This is a mus- toward our collective healing. need to learn, or unlearn, in order cle that must be trained. to come to this conversation pre- pared. Speak the truth. But first, you will have to seek the truth. You cannot If you’re looking for ways to educate rely on what you know right now. yourself and others, there are end- less books, podcasts, articles, film Be held and hold others account- projects and more that are helpful. able. Remain vigilant to altering There’s one particular project that is the systems of oppression that have close to my heart: I am a founder of harmed Black and Brown people for You will have to The Conversation Workshops, a cre- centuries. Vote. Organize. Teach ative and brave anti-racism curricu- Others. seek“ the truth. lum that fosters intentional dialogue for change-oriented communities. Take inventory of your rhythms. You cannot rely Evaluate where you spend your on what you know The first two years of facilitating money, your spheres of influence, these workshops were in-person how you receive your local, nation- right now.” with schools, churches, and friend al, and world news, who you date, groups. We had the privilege of where you worship, among many piloting our work at Oklahoma others factors. State University, where students — Lauren Palmer and professors provided feedback Be open to correction. Enough said. that helped us refine the contents of our workshop, making us ready Remain consistent. When the so- to launch Summer of 2018. Today, cial media frenzy dies down, pro- Editor Note: Lauren Palmer is a studio we also offer an online iteration testers fade from the streets, and the floral designer and interpersonal activist of our workshop as a response to trend to support Black, Indigenous in Oklahoma City. To learn more about COVID-19 and the current race-re- and People of Color (BIPOC) com- The Conversation Workshops please visit, lated uproar the world is experienc- munities ends, will you still stand in converasationworkshopsok.com or via ing.