African American Policy ForumVarmennettu tili

There is something I call the "homeless mindset", which refers to the PTSD incurred from a prolonged period of homelessness.

And, homeless women - especially youth and elderly- are particularly invisible. We can't safely beg on the streets for money. And when searching for a job are often met with sexual harassment that we can't rebuke because we're just "lucky" enough to have a job.

Because it's dangerous for women, esp. Black women, to wander the streets at night, we rely on the mercy of "good Samaritans". But the men who help are rarely ever just good Samaritans, quickly wanting sexual favours in return for letting us stay with them

And if we choose never to stay with a man, then we stay on the streets. And that lends to all sorts of trouble. Whether it's trying to get a ride or sleeping in public places- we are then open to sexual violence. Even just getting into a cab ride or because we "look vulnerable".

And if we try to get hotel rooms for the night, we are met with stares. One motel worker, who was a woman, was very kind to me and gave me cheap rates, I guess figuring out I was homeless. But even she would inquire as to if I was staying in the room alone, almost as a condition

And being unable to eat 3 meals a day or get any rest means we women aren't mentally at our best, agreeing to things we might have seen were tricks if we weren't so tired and desperate. Ask a homeless person not the last time they ate; but, the last time they had 3 meals a day!

Some shelters, especially "Christian" ones, can be very hostile towards their female residents, seeing us as promiscuous and trying to be in charge of our love lives, or making new rules in the shelter that are specifically designed for one individual or only to one individual

Women who are pregnant/have kids & are in shelters are not respected, & neither are their children: being only a night shelter with 3 PM check-in time. 1 little Black girl, 6th grader w her gmother, was in the same women's shelter. She couldn't go to any after school programs.