The Solidarity Network’s attack on Sharon Lee and the Low Income Housing Institute is nothing more than a deliberate organizing tactic that relies on recklessness and dishonesty rather than reason and truth (“The Misrepresentation of Sharon Lee,” RC, Oct. 26).
In a time of great collective effort to address real issues and enemies of us all, this group decides to attack an organization and a person that has worked tirelessly and brilliantly to address the issue of homelessness. Even if they sincerely believe their “client” is in the right — which is highly unlikely — it is difficult to excuse the repulsive attacks they have leveled against Sharon and LIHI.
To be able to address the needs of over 40,000 people confronted with the threat of homelessness, LIHI is operating numerous housing projects and programs such as the Urban Rest Stop. If the local advocacy community had found systemic fault with its operation, LIHI would have been confronted years ago. One “he said, they said” dispute does not make for a controversy marked by such vitriol.
One would have to be brain dead not to believe that mistakes can be made by those employed in such a large organization as LIHI. LIHI has a record of addressing concerns that stands scrutiny. The Solidarity Network, if they bothered to look, would find they occupy a very isolated place that is way out of sync with the community they claim to be in solidarity with.
What they are trying to do is create a space so they can claim to be more righteous that other advocates and service providers working in the community. They are pursuing tactics that are intellectually dishonest and manipulative to their core.