More times than I can count, have I heard fools say, that people who are homeless should forego working on their entrepreneurial goals, and focus instead on getting their life together. On the surface, this sounds like a logical choice, but it is really very unrealistic. Those who make these comments or have this mindset, demonstrate that they have no authentic understanding of housing insecurity and how it affects people on a day to day basis. It also shows that they are not a student of history. Just about every successful entrepreneur had challenges BEFORE THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL. In fact, for most, it was during their times of uncertainty that propelled them toward their goals. Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, The Rock, and Ella Fitzgerald are a few examples of people who experienced homelessness on the journey toward success. The Harlem Renaissance era is also a historic moment that happened due to the great migration. WEB Dubois, Langston Huges, and Zora Nelle Hurston all stepped out on faith during a period of great uncertainty, to pursue their gifts and goals. Booker T. Washington had no place to stay, no clean clothes, and no food... all while pursuing his dream of obtaining an education. His steadfast desire to not allow his circumstances dictate his future is just one reason why we celebrate HIStory today!
Whether justly or unjustly, when someone is homeless, aside from not having a place to stay, do you know what else they don't have? HOPE!
We have been programmed to look down upon the poor or homeless, but this is only by design. Misjudging the homeless keeps our eyes off of the real culprits of these systematic atrocities. It also prevents us from developing tangible solutions. The fact is this:
Local, State and Federal Governments are complicit in the homeless epidemic in a variety of ways.
They are the true creators of the housing and homeless crisis that they claim they want to eradicate. Have you considered how much money cities and states received for the poor? It is profitable to make money off of indigent people. Sadly, those that claim to organize, work for, or even help homeless people, do not have a clear understanding of what people in these situations truly face.
Sometimes when you lose everything you have, the only thing you have left are your goals and dreams. Having goals and dreams are important to maintaining a positive mindset and for ones overall mental health. Sometimes when you are financially challenged, the only thing you can rely on, are your talents and gifts to move forward. After I was evicted illegally at the hands of Detroit Police Officers and a dirty landlord, I went on to become a Motor City Match Awardee! Why would I apply for a grant during my time of uncertainty? Because that was ALL I COULD DO. I had no control over my situation and did not have the to power change my circumstances. I had zero support or help through this traumatic process. Despite reaching out to a variety of city and local officials, so called friends and family, the real is they all ignored me. Those working at the shelter often attacked me, and stole from me on more than one occasion. Even if you are housed in a homeless facility, it is generally not a safe place of integrity. Many of the workers mistreat the homeless too. Focusing on my craft and gifts was a way for me to keep from becoming totally defeated. Writing, also kept me from losing all hope. It is not a new craft I came up on a whim, during my homelessness. It is a gift I have held since childhood. My business was founded prior to my homeless crisis. Why should I give that up, just because I fell on hard times? People not only have the right to dream, but also the freedom to pursue them relentlessly. There is nothing nefarious about it.
Wining the Motor City Match contest only empowered me to do more! It reassured me that I indeed had what it took to be successful, despite whatever obstacles or barriers I was facing.
A lot of people who choose violence as a remedy, are broken people!! To me, someone who makes a different choice by using their God given skills and abilities to earn a dollar honestly, is something to be admired and applauded. Especially those who are reduced to agony and despair. Doing so demonstrates their resilience and determination despite any challenges they face. Ever heard of the award winning singer KEM? He was not only homeless but also suffered an addiction before he made it BIG mainstream. I wonder how many people ridiculed him while he was down on his luck? My guess is some of the same people who were talking badly about him or judging him, are now some of his most dedicated fans. But I digress
Necessity is the mother of invention
Eviction is a money making tool for the elite and property owners here in the state of Michigan. Many property owners who collected millions of dollars in Federal Covid funding for unpaid rent, still put people out of their homes unnecessarily, only after they cashed the check. Here in Detroit, if you have an eviction on your record, it is almost impossible to find another place to stay. All property owners have to do is search for your name and address and your eviction history comes up. They have no knowledge (nor do they ask) of why you were evicted in the first place. It is a myth that everyone who is evicted, is removed from their homes with just cause. Some have been evicted for speaking out. Others have been bamboozled by the corrupt system. In my case, cops just showed up and told me to get out. Any future landlord would not be privy to these details because the tools they use do not provide this information. Even if you are lucky to find another home after being evicted, chances are the tenant will incur double or triple amounts due, because of their housing record.
Ninety-four percent of the landlords and property owners in Detroit are NON COMPLIANT.
Some are not even properly licensed to rent out properties in the first place. Yet whenever they file an eviction case, the court system overwhelming sides with the landlord. The landlord or property owner avoids all accountability and the tenant is removed from their home and left to their own devices to figure it all out.
If you do not have a place to hang your head, how then can you keep your job?
If you do not have a job, then how do you earn money without having any resources?
How can you find a job if you do not have stable housing?
Most companies do not hire homeless people. Why? Because they are homeless!! On one hand , we demonize people who are evicted or homeless, no matter the reason. Yet at the same time, many of us complain about having these people in our community. Where else do they go? Collectively, we have no understanding and do very little to help those who are in these predicaments.
Have you ever considered what contributes to much of the violence we witness on a daily? Your average criminal does not come out the womb wanting to participate in illegal schemes. Babies are not born with a desire to kill and harm other people. A lot of the violence we see comes from those who have been victimized by a corrupt system in some type of way or form. They make a choice (albeit the wrong choice) to deal with their pain in a violent manner. PAY ATTENTION!
Most violence offenders are addressing some sort of gripe, whether it is homelessness, joblessness or some other issue. Housing, food and water are NOT luxuries. They are essential resources that every living being needs. A human being cannot live, let alone sustain without shelter, food or water. They will literally die without these things.
So.....if someone chooses to rely on their skills or talents to "eat" ... then why are we dismissing these people? When you are hungry and hopeless you MUST do something BECAUSE YOUR LIFE LITERALLY DEPENDS UPON IT. Right or wrong, people are going to find a way to eat, one way or another.
My upcoming book is my story of homelessness and how it has affected my life. It is a very important story to tell, as it illustrates the many loop holes that exist ON PURPOSE, to keep people who are down and out, stay down and out. Homelessness is a worldwide systematic issue. This book takes an in depth look at not just my experiences, but also the history of homelessness, laws that target homeless people, and a bird's eye view of how the system really works, particularly here in Detroit. We are in the final editing/revision stages of this book. Stay tuned for our upcoming release date.
Thank you for reading!
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