BRATTLEBORO — Scapegoating is a tactic used in small and large systems - families, communities, nations - to place all of the blame for a problem onto one person or group of people. It's used by those in power to avoid accountability or prevent a more nuanced analysis of a difficult situation, or both.
The scapegoat is almost always a person with less power, or no power at all, because it's easy to pick on someone who is already down. They're less likely to fight back, and even if they do, they'll probably get punished or ignored.
One can easily find numerous examples of scapegoating. Abusive families, dysfunctional workplaces, oppressive political systems.
And, in a recent issue of The Commons, where, in a letter to the editor, Judy Davidson lamented the Brattleboro Food Co-op's financial challenges by scapegoating a small group of people asking strangers for money - panhandlers. This stinks of classism, bigotry, and ignorance. It's also ridiculous.
The co-op's struggles are real, and the situation adversely affects its workers, vendors, lenders, and other segments of the community that rely on the store for its needs.
There are a variety of reasons why any brick-and-mortar store, whether it's a food co-op, convenience store, or clothing outlet, might be struggling in 2019. Not enough people in the area can afford to shop there because wages are too low and prices are too high. The store doesn't sell what customers want. Internet shopping has become too easy. Expenses are higher than revenue. A manager overestimated sales projections and took on too much debt. The competition is outpacing them. Parking. Location. Customer service. The list goes on.
How do I know all of these things? I was a business owner, and I've been a worker for about 30 years. I also pay attention and use my analytical and deductive reasoning skills.
It doesn't take an advanced business degree to understand the possible causes of the Co-op's - or any store's - financial challenges. But a small group of poor, desperate people befouling their precious parking lot is not to blame.