I forwarded this excellent column to the editor at The Oregonian with the following cover letter:
To the Editor:
I am forwarding the most recent substack piece by Kevin Dahlgren, who modestly describes his credentials as: "Three decades working in social services writing on homelessness, addiction and the Homeless Industrial Complex." Mr. Dahlgren's substack is "Truth on the Streets." The article is titled "Homeless mayors, fires and tunnels: Why homeless outreach matters."
My reason for calling your attention to this article is not just its news value but because it is an exceedingly rare example of in-depth coverage on the culture of, and conditions among, Portland's homeless.
For a group who are so visible, the homeless are almost never the subject of detailed reporting on their way of life, their histories, the ways they adapt to life on the streets, their attitudes and beliefs, their interactions with representatives of local government and nonprofits and their opinions about the numerous programs aimed at helping them.
Where Mr. Dahlgren offers his readers a textured and nuanced picture of a community living under a bridge, in some cases literally, The Oregonian/OregonLive almost never writes ethnographically about Portland's homeless. It seems as if the only time the paper gives readers a glimpse of life on the streets is when a sympathetic homeless person, usually a woman, suffers a dire misfortune.
On the other hand, reporters at The Oregonian/OregonLive are never at a loss for contacts among Portland's radical left homeless activists who are more than happy to put words in their beneficiaries' mouths. In a similar vein, the paper's journalists have a fondness for parroting activists' talking points uncritically. Neither practice advances readers' understanding of the homeless who live among us.
It should go without saying that the more readers know about the homeless, the less likely they are to fall back on unhelpful stereotypes and the better situated they will be to assess how well our elected leaders are meeting their needs.
It's time for The Oregonian/OregonLive to do some serious shoe-leather reporting from inside the encampments on a regular basis. If it's fear of the unknown that's holding reporters back, Mr. Dahlgren would probably be willing to be their guide to Portland's homeless underground.
I came across something very interesting and thought I would share as it was left as a comment for a Kevin Dahlgen on his site.
Mr.Dahlgen works directly with Portland’s homeless and has nearly lost his life on multiple occasions. He has acquired the priceless knowledge and experience of someone to help end the crisis we have in Portland.
Written by Ollie Parks:
I am forwarding the most recent substack piece by Kevin Dahlgren, who modestly describes his credentials as: "Three decades working in social services writing on homelessness, addiction and the Homeless Industrial Complex." Mr. Dahlgren's substack is "Truth on the Streets." The article is titled "Homeless mayors, fires and tunnels: Why homeless outreach matters."
My reason for calling your attention to this article is not just its news value but because it is an exceedingly rare example of in-depth coverage on the culture of, and conditions among, Portland's homeless.
For a group who are so visible, the homeless are almost never the subject of detailed reporting on their way of life, their histories, the ways they adapt to life on the streets, their attitudes and beliefs, their interactions with representatives of local government and nonprofits and their opinions about the numerous programs aimed at helping them.
Where Mr. Dahlgren offers his readers a textured and nuanced picture of a community living under a bridge, in some cases literally, the news outlets almost never show an ethnographical point of view about Portland's homeless. It seems as if the only time the news offers viewers/readers a glimpse of life on the streets is when a sympathetic homeless person, usually a woman, suffers a dire misfortune.
On the other hand, reporters at KOIN 6 and other news outlets are never at a loss for contacts among Portland's radical left homeless activists who are more than happy to put words in their beneficiaries' mouths. In a similar vein, journalists have a fondness for parroting activists' talking points uncritically. Neither practice advances viewers/readers' understanding of the homeless who live among us.
It should go without saying that the more Oregonians know about the homeless, the less likely they are to fall back on unhelpful stereotypes and the better situated they will be to assess how well our elected leaders are meeting their needs.
It's time for KOIN 6 and all local news outlets to do some serious shoe-leather reporting from inside the encampments on a regular basis. If it's fear of the unknown that's holding reporters back, Mr. Dahlgren would probably be willing to be their guide to Portland's homeless underground.”
Here is a direct link to Mr. Dahlgren’s web site. I do not know him personally but made sure to attain the proper permissions prior to sending you all this information. Some of the most important information on his site is available for free:
I would like to send this letter to the VP of KOIN 6 with some edits of where the letter specifically identifies the Oregonian, to encompass all news outlets.
I would like to send this letter to the VP of KOIN 6 with some edits of where the letter specifically identifies the Oregonian, to encompass all news outlets.
I forwarded this excellent column to the editor at The Oregonian with the following cover letter:
To the Editor:
I am forwarding the most recent substack piece by Kevin Dahlgren, who modestly describes his credentials as: "Three decades working in social services writing on homelessness, addiction and the Homeless Industrial Complex." Mr. Dahlgren's substack is "Truth on the Streets." The article is titled "Homeless mayors, fires and tunnels: Why homeless outreach matters."
My reason for calling your attention to this article is not just its news value but because it is an exceedingly rare example of in-depth coverage on the culture of, and conditions among, Portland's homeless.
For a group who are so visible, the homeless are almost never the subject of detailed reporting on their way of life, their histories, the ways they adapt to life on the streets, their attitudes and beliefs, their interactions with representatives of local government and nonprofits and their opinions about the numerous programs aimed at helping them.
Where Mr. Dahlgren offers his readers a textured and nuanced picture of a community living under a bridge, in some cases literally, The Oregonian/OregonLive almost never writes ethnographically about Portland's homeless. It seems as if the only time the paper gives readers a glimpse of life on the streets is when a sympathetic homeless person, usually a woman, suffers a dire misfortune.
On the other hand, reporters at The Oregonian/OregonLive are never at a loss for contacts among Portland's radical left homeless activists who are more than happy to put words in their beneficiaries' mouths. In a similar vein, the paper's journalists have a fondness for parroting activists' talking points uncritically. Neither practice advances readers' understanding of the homeless who live among us.
It should go without saying that the more readers know about the homeless, the less likely they are to fall back on unhelpful stereotypes and the better situated they will be to assess how well our elected leaders are meeting their needs.
It's time for The Oregonian/OregonLive to do some serious shoe-leather reporting from inside the encampments on a regular basis. If it's fear of the unknown that's holding reporters back, Mr. Dahlgren would probably be willing to be their guide to Portland's homeless underground.
Sincerely,
Thank you! I would absolutely show them the truth!
The email would read as follows:
I came across something very interesting and thought I would share as it was left as a comment for a Kevin Dahlgen on his site.
Mr.Dahlgen works directly with Portland’s homeless and has nearly lost his life on multiple occasions. He has acquired the priceless knowledge and experience of someone to help end the crisis we have in Portland.
Written by Ollie Parks:
I am forwarding the most recent substack piece by Kevin Dahlgren, who modestly describes his credentials as: "Three decades working in social services writing on homelessness, addiction and the Homeless Industrial Complex." Mr. Dahlgren's substack is "Truth on the Streets." The article is titled "Homeless mayors, fires and tunnels: Why homeless outreach matters."
My reason for calling your attention to this article is not just its news value but because it is an exceedingly rare example of in-depth coverage on the culture of, and conditions among, Portland's homeless.
For a group who are so visible, the homeless are almost never the subject of detailed reporting on their way of life, their histories, the ways they adapt to life on the streets, their attitudes and beliefs, their interactions with representatives of local government and nonprofits and their opinions about the numerous programs aimed at helping them.
Where Mr. Dahlgren offers his readers a textured and nuanced picture of a community living under a bridge, in some cases literally, the news outlets almost never show an ethnographical point of view about Portland's homeless. It seems as if the only time the news offers viewers/readers a glimpse of life on the streets is when a sympathetic homeless person, usually a woman, suffers a dire misfortune.
On the other hand, reporters at KOIN 6 and other news outlets are never at a loss for contacts among Portland's radical left homeless activists who are more than happy to put words in their beneficiaries' mouths. In a similar vein, journalists have a fondness for parroting activists' talking points uncritically. Neither practice advances viewers/readers' understanding of the homeless who live among us.
It should go without saying that the more Oregonians know about the homeless, the less likely they are to fall back on unhelpful stereotypes and the better situated they will be to assess how well our elected leaders are meeting their needs.
It's time for KOIN 6 and all local news outlets to do some serious shoe-leather reporting from inside the encampments on a regular basis. If it's fear of the unknown that's holding reporters back, Mr. Dahlgren would probably be willing to be their guide to Portland's homeless underground.”
Here is a direct link to Mr. Dahlgren’s web site. I do not know him personally but made sure to attain the proper permissions prior to sending you all this information. Some of the most important information on his site is available for free:
https://truthonthestreets.substack.com
Ty
just now
I would like to send this letter to the VP of KOIN 6 with some edits of where the letter specifically identifies the Oregonian, to encompass all news outlets.
Is that okay with you Ollie?
I would like to send this letter to the VP of KOIN 6 with some edits of where the letter specifically identifies the Oregonian, to encompass all news outlets.
Is that okay with you?
“With trust established, hope returns”
Spot on. Nice piece of storytelling, thanks for taking the time to write this.
Good article Kevin. Please be careful out there. (wear your armor)