ABSTRACT
Homelessencampmentsandshelters,nestinginmarginalizedareas ofcitiesandsuburbs,havebecomemoreprevalentwithincreasing incomepolarizationandunemployment.Encampmentsareoftenpresentedinthepopularmediaaseitherexoticlocationsforthe"Other," placestobefeared,theurbanequivalentof"wilderness,"oraslocationsforthedispensationofcharity.Rarelyarehomelessencampmentspresentedasvehiclesforgeneratingcommunityinthepopular press.Whencommunityismentioneditisofteninreferencetoanonnormative,outofthemainstreamcommunity,onepopulatedwith disaffiliated,isolatedindividuals.Thefollowingaccountisaboutone setofencampmentsthatquestionsthedisaffiliationmodelof homelessnessandservestoremindusofthepowerofcommunityin generatingnewconceptsofselfandsocialchange,aprecursortothe formationofsocialmovements.
