Not all political violence is physical—it can also come in the form of brutal and harmful rhetoric, policies, and the erasure of truthful histories and stories. However, words shape ideas and worlds. Language matters and moves violence from abstract to targeted action. It can also be used to change narratives and help end violence against homeless people.

National media figures are openly calling for lethal violence against unhoused communities and are met with little to no recourse. Meanwhile, the federal government is using an authoritarian approach to take over cities run by Black mayors in a racist action aimed at disappearing immigrants and unhoused people alike. People in power are telling the public that brutality is a legitimate way to “solve” homelessness—when in reality, real solutions come from compassion and collective action to create safe, stable housing for everyone.

In the wake of ongoing verbal assaults from political leaders and public figures that target communities of color, immigrants, disabled folks, and LGBTQ+ people, it is sadly unsurprising that violence against unhoused people is also escalating. Just this week, mass shootings in Minneapolis at two separate encampments left more than a dozen injured. In San Francisco, vigilantes attacked unhoused people by spraying Narcan in their faces—causing painful withdrawal symptoms in those not using drugs.

This wave of violence is not random or new: it is the consequence of dehumanizing narratives, punitive anti-Black policies, and decades of racial disinvestment in housing. It also reflects a longer history—political violence against Black and Indigenous communities has been the throughline of this nation since its founding.

Even amid threats to organizations who do not align with the current Presidential administration’s agenda, philanthropy must not back down and fund in ways that protect life, dignity, and community safety. We continue our calls on philanthropy to end violence against homeless people by:

  • Using your voice and influence to call out the violence and call-in public officials and peers to implement solutions to scale.
  • Committing to organizing with other funders to explore how to abundantly resource the community for the long-term and use your collective power to advance the community’s needs and priorities.
  • Investing in narrative correction to counter dangerous rhetoric and humanize the realities of homelessness.

Read the full article about ending violence against homeless people by Joshua Perrin at Funders Together for Housing Justice.