4 minute read
A Night in the Life of the Unhoused
CNW Staff Writer Spends the Night with Unhoused and community advocate
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“Englewood Barbie”
Dr. Mila K. Marshall CNW Staff Writer
Itied up my sleeping bag and layered up with excitement and hesitation. My heart and my head seemed to be going in opposite directions. Who would willingly choose to sleep outside in the cold? Who purposely gives up the comforts of home for the struggle in the streets? Dr. Aleta Clark that’s who…and if she could do it so could I. Affectionately known as Englewood Barbie, the charismatic champion, advocate, and influencer extended an invitation on her social media platform to join her under the 22nd street viaduct. Looking back I feel silly. I kept my plans to myself. I’m known for doing random things, but this wasn’t an “adventure”. It wasn’t a quick staycation in the woods or a trip to reclaim my time. It was a way for me to learn firsthand the realities of my unhoused neighbors. Quite frankly, most of us are one crisis away from eviction ourselves.
My uber arrives and I load up my things but not before my 17-year-old son stops me for a stay-safe lecture. I laughed at his discomfort but he didn’t think it was funny. It set in, he was scared. Home provides protection and all there was between me and another person was a sleeping bag. The trip to Canalport was quiet and as my ride approached the viaduct the driver slowed, “oh it’s a party tonight?” he asked. I share with him the mission for Monday night and he turns around with wide eyes….” and YOU’RE going to sleep outside with THEM?” he said shockingly. I nodded, but I had yet to commit to that decision. I felt so guilty for even threatening NOT to stay. I wandered around the tents, Pastor Tate was the first to greet me. His warm welcome eased my tension. I knew no one there. “You’re staying the night… where do you want to put your tent?” he asked me. I smile and say”…I only have a sleeping bag….I can go get my tent. I had no clue I would need one.” He introduced me to Englewood Barbie and she let me leave my things in her tent while I called a second Uber to go back home to get more things. It isn’t easy catching an Uber under the viaduct so I had to walk to a place with an address to actually get a ride. Certain neighborhoods at certain times have greater driver cancellations I learned. A kind gentleman picked me up. He too asked the same questions as the first driver. By the third Uber that took me back, I was a pro at my spiel and had told three people about housing insecurity in Chicago and how we all can make a difference.
When I returned to my tent sat on my chair and warmed myself by the fire with a few of my new “friends”, Mr. Aaron, Michael Jackson and Billy. Our conversations were light. Billy bragged about his good hair and Michael and I crooned SWV’s popular song “Weak” as we sat next to the fire. Our mini concert got us shushed as we were so in the moment we didn’t realize it was time to bless the food. We teased each other by lip-syncing but eventually joined the rest of the supporters and friends to bless the food. As Englewood Barbie stood before the crowd she took a few deep breaths taking it all in. Her invitation had been accepted and cars lined Canalport. At that moment there was no telling who lived where…we were all just together, equal and enjoying kind company. Pastor Tate removed his mask and began to pray over the evening, the food and that moment united us in mindfulness that we are each here to serve.
There wasn’t a moment I wasn’t smiling. The friends that found themselves chatting with me talked about everything from love and relationships to music and politics. We all walked down memory lane sharing special moments while making one together. But it was getting late and I was exhausted and still hadn’t put up my tent. Michael Jackson grabbed my tent and said “it’s time for you to rest… Let’s get you settled.” It took about 5 people to pop the tent up. I felt pretty weird with my North Face attire amongst the encampment. No one noticed or cared but they did com- pliment my tent saying how cute it was and perfect for me, but it wasn’t enough. Because it was so windy Michael was concerned my top shelter piece would fly away. He walked away and returned with a blanket to hold everything down and wished me a good night’s rest.
I was exhausted and cold. Even layered up with my thermal socks, Uggs, minus 30-degree Eddie Bauer coat, and minus 20 below North Face sleeping bag nothing could stop the biting cold coming from all directions. The concrete was burning cold. The two yoga mats beneath to pad me felt frozen from the bottom up. I did my best to get comfy. But how could I? Shadows were everywhere and the glowing lights beneath the viaduct were constant even with your eyes closed. I could smell, hear and feel the trucks above me. All my senses were unnerved.
At that moment I phoned a friend because I began to lose it. With that tearfilled conversation, I began to understand the hierarchy of who we care for even in our own communities. I wondered about Black landlords with less than ethical practices. I began to think about the lack of mental health and substance abuse services in our communities. I began to wonder about all the available infrastructure just sitting there with no inhabitants…it was too cold to keep crying.
The “friends” have access to a toilet and drinking water, two things that many of us take for granted. They have an advocate in Englewood Barbie who is committed to raising $1 million to purchase a property to build a shelter. My night with the “Friends” came to an end around 4 am as it began to warm up a bit. A few of the “Friends” were still awake and helped me pack up my things. By 4:45 am I was sitting by the fire and calling my uber. Mr. Aaron and I shared a morning beer and we laughed at how dope it was to have Moor’s Beer for breakfast and them being Black beer makers from the city. Mr. Aaron and I had so much in common, from tattoos to our rocky romances. He helps me load up into my uber and the one thing we didn’t have in common is that I got to go back inside to my home….I got to go home.
