Why Ask Why?

Throughout history, there have been a few rhetorical questions that have elevated thought and contributed to the advancement of modern society.

"Are humans evil with good intentions or good with evil intentions?"

"Which came first... The chicken or the egg?"

"Why did Joplin and Hendrix die so young, yet Nickelback will probably survive as a band well into their 90s?"

Most people like to have the answers to life's mysteries, but I have always been a firm believer that questions are more important than answers. While answers seek to pacify us, questions nudge us in a general direction of dissatisfaction that can prompt us to focus on the problem. Once we have the answer to something, we tend to move on to something else that needs 'solved' and can quickly forget the journey of investigation that led us to the solution. Answers are nice, don't get me wrong; There is solace in figuring something out. But questions can be just as rewarding when we learn to ask the right ones.

Examining the issues affecting the homeless in Kalispell requires spending a great deal of time and energy looking at the question of 'why' someone is homeless. The obvious solution to homelessness might seem to be housing, but there are many layers to the question of why someone might be homeless. Simply offering housing will not be sufficient to keep a person housed unless other issues are unearthed and examined. The process of questioning can lead to longevity while a quick-fix answer can do harm.

When we understand the roots of homelessness, we can effectively provide positive actions that will help the individual take responsibility for their situation. If it was self-destructive behavior that resulted in their homelessness, then steps can be taken to offer treatment that will lessen the likelihood of that behavior happening again. When a person overcomes addiction, then the whole community benefits. A stable person can find employment, which leads to paying taxes and contributing back to society. There is a greater chance they might be able and willing to start a family and put down roots, which gives them (and possible future generations) a stronger tie to their environment and it's success.

Sometimes people find themselves homeless as a result of circumstances beyond their control. Unemployment, unexpected expenses, health problems, domestic violence, and natural disasters are just a few causes of homelessness in the Flathead Valley. Asking 'why' in these instances points to a larger picture of the way society operates and is a stark reminder that many of us are just an accident away from the possibility of losing important things in our own lives. It is essential to remember how fortunate we are and to never give up trying to figure out how we can address the systemic causes associated with homelessness.

Sometimes asking why can save a life.