The Story of Malik

Steven: “Hi, I’m Steven. What’s your name?”
Malik: “Malik.”

Steven: “It’s nice to meet you, Malik. We’re here Harlem, right?”
Malik: “Yeah, right here on the West Side. This has been my spot for a while now.”

Steven: “How long have you been out here?”
Malik: “Man, it’s been almost four years now.”

Steven: “Four years? That’s a long time. How did it start for you?”
Malik: “It all went downhill when my mom passed, which was about five years ago. She was all I had, and I lived with her and we didn’t live in no nice apartment. It was just a one bedroom cramped apartment. After she passed, I still couldn’t keep up with the rent on the apartment we shared because I didn’t have a job, but I did have some cash saved up but after a few months, I was evicted. I tried staying with friends, but that didn’t last long because… they didn’t want me there any longer. Eventually, I ended up here.”

Steven: “What was your mom like?”
Malik: “She was everything to me. Hardworking, kind, smart. She worked two jobs just to make sure we had what we needed. She had this laugh that I could never forget. I could hear it in my head every single day and it just broke me. Losing her…it broke me in ways I didn’t even know were possible, and now I’m out here living on my own.”

Steven: “I’m really sorry to hear that, and I could tell she wanted the best for you…did you try the shelter system after that?”
Malik: “I did. It wasn’t great. I stayed in one for a couple of months, but the environment was… rough. Fights breaking out all the time, people stealing your stuff. I had my backpack stolen twice. After that, I felt safer out here on the streets. At least out here, I can control my space, you know?”

Steven: “I’ve heard that from others too. It’s so sad that shelters don’t feel like a safe option.”
Malik: “Yeah, it’s a shame. The idea is good, but the system is broken. They put everyone together. Like people dealing with addiction, mental health issues, violent tendencies so it just doesn’t work for everyone. You either have to deal with all that or leave, and I chose to leave.”

Steven: “I think cities really need to invest more in homeless shelter because currently, many are underfunded…what’s the hardest part of living on the streets?”
Malik: “The loneliness. It’s not even the cold or the hunger but it’s just that no one is willing to talk to you. You walk down the street, and people won’t even look at you. And the people who do talk to you? Half the time, it’s just to insult you and tell you to go somewhere else because they don’t want you to infect them. And I’m here thinking, like man, how can I infect you? But I would be lying if I said that didn’t mess with my head.”

Steven: “That’s heartbreaking. You deserve kindness and respect, just like anyone else, and I’m trying to get others to see it.”
Malik: “I appreciate you saying that, man. It means a lot.”

Steven: “Of course…Do you have any friends out here?”
Malik: “I’ve got a couple of people I talk to still. We look out for each other, share food when we can. But it’s hard to trust anyone completely. I’ve been burned before. It’s a tough world out here. Some people never have to experience what I have and I truly hope they don’t because no one deserves it.”

Steven: “That’s nice to hear, man. Having support out here, even if it’s just someone to talk to regularly means a lot…how else do you get by day to day?”
Malik: “I panhandle, so I don’t really get that much, but it’s enough to get a meal or a coffee to warm up. Sometimes, I pick up odd jobs when I can find them like cleaning or moving stuff, but something I’ve noticed is that people don’t always want to give someone like me a chance, though. They see me and assume the worst.”

Steven: “Right, that’s an issue because there’s this stigma around the homeless, but the thing they don’t know is that anyone can become homeless, and unfortunately, those who are homeless can’t really speak up so they resort to addictions…have you ever struggled with addiction?”
Malik: “Yeah. After my mom passed, I turned to alcohol. It helped me numb the pain, but it got bad. That’s actually one reason that I got kicked out. Spent all my money on booze and I was being a bit loud and on top of that, I was drinking every day, just to get through. I’m sober now, though. Been clean for about a year.”

Steven: “That’s amazing, Malik. You should be really proud of yourself.”
Malik: “Thanks. It hasn’t been easy, but I realized the drinking wasn’t helping me. It was just making things worse. So I stopped. I want to be better.”

Steven: “Yeah…do you ever think about your mom?”
Malik: “She’s the only reason why I can on going. She believed in me. As long as there’s a chance things can get better, I keep pushing. Some days are harder than others, but I tell myself I’ve made it this far and I can’t give up now. I’m sure my mom wouldn’t have wanted me to give up, so I just hope that my life can change and I’ll get the help I need.”

Steven: “That’s the spirit! Now, if you had three wishes, what would they be?”
Malik: “Man, that’s a tough one. First, I’d wish for my mom back. Just one more day with her. Second, I’d wish for a home, somewhere warm and safe. And for my third wish, man, to give everyone a voice. We’re all humans at the end of the day. If I could have a fourth wish, it would be to get back to school. I always wanted to study architecture. I used to sketch buildings when I was a kid. I’d love to design something that could make people feel safe”

Steven: “That’s some beautiful wishes… Malik, thank you so much for sharing your story. You’re an incredible person, and I truly believe things can get better for you.”
Malik: “Thank you, Steven. That means more than you know.”