Let’s explore this “not in my backyard” concept a bit! It’s a fascinating thing too, how often conversations – human dialogue, contain distinct worldviews, opinions, and delusional claims of accurate perception and comprehension.
Not in mine!
Do you have a backyard? If you believe you do, think twice! Most folks we know are using bank-owned land to entertain barbeques out back. Are you familiar with Jacques Cartier? He was a slick European navigator/explorer. Commissioned by the King of France during the early 1500s, he did some really smooth sailing. Jacques simply stuck a thirty-foot tall stake in the ground with a sign that proclaimed “Vive le Roi de Frances.” This ordained all the surrounding territory as land now belonging to France. You may know it today as Canadian territory. Wonder what the heck happened to the Iroquois squatters’ rights? Leave ideas in the comments section below.
I guess fear of who is in your backyard or what is in your backyard is a real concern that can have dire consequences. Housing active addiction in any community raises concern, no doubt! During the thousands of 12-step meetings over the years, it’s been reiterated that AUDs lie and OUDs steal. Interestingly, stealing from each other in the homeless community is commonplace. Soon all is forgiven and maybe leaving valuables unattended is on you! When you have nothing much, there isn’t much to worry about being pilfered. When you have more than you need, it gets shared.
Who’s backyard?
In an earlier Brief, mention of needing an anthropologist to resolve our homeless crisis is because of a very different worldview within their culture. As one learns to assimilate, to fit in on their streets, acculturation becomes imperative to your survival. We call it a Slim Survivors’ worldview. Having lived with or lived through addiction is an education unavailable elsewhere. Furthermore, it changes how we see things around us. As Jack would say: “you can’t handle the truth,” a military perspective. Is this truth about the degree of what the human process is capable of accomplishing and doing in order to survive? You know, going to any lengths to stay sober comes to mind.
So, not in my backyard is completely understandable, especially with respect to liability, safety, and security of your personal wealth and belongings. Just look to Jacques Cartier before someone moves into your domain about potential outcomes. On the flip side, move ahead a hundred years, when the Wampanoag in our backyard made Slim Survivors out of the early Pilgrims. They, while living in tents, saved Pilgrims’ lives by teaching them winter survival strategies and how to forage and hunt for sustenance. Any chance we can all get along now, share resources, and figure things out together?