April is fair housing month

It’s April

but not all housing is fair:

 

The alley 

The home that I’m living in

Surrounded by trash 

And approached by many men

 

Everyday the same scenery 

Nah, I’m not complaining 

and I hope I don’t seem to be

 

Graffiti on the walls

Gang signs on the street 

Watch one do the tagging

While a brother gets beat 

 

And I bet you wouldn't guess it

But I have BA and a Job

Yet, the owners still  won't rent to me

 

I can’t get a home bc the color of my skin

Bc I’ve dedicated myself to Allah

Bc I’m a woman that loves women

I can’t get a home bc I have too many children 

Tell me

When did my whole life become a sin?

 

And Tye martin said it best 

Homelessness is much more than substance abuse and mental illnesses 

And if that’s the book you’re reading 

Then put it down because it’s fiction

 

Listen to my diction

I’m not slurring my words or spilling my beer

I’m sober. I’m smart enough to see the unjust hand that i’ve been dealt here. 

 

Section 8 vouchers and project housing ain’t no good

I want and deserve a real neighborhood

 

And seeing people like me on the North Shore is such a rarity

This is because there is such a big wealth disparity 

 

But when you’re like me,

Living in poverty

living in a no opportunity area

Is like being handed a death sentence

No access to good jobs, transportation, a network, 

Lord is there a repentance 

What have my people done?

Why can my future be easily determined by my zip code?

With no quality education, crime all around, food deserts, etc., 

how far can I really go?

 

The redlining and racial covenants of the early 1900s made it legal to discriminate in home lending 

My people worked hard, had their down payments, but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac weren't bending

 

No mortgage insurance to the lenders who made loans to blacks

If you wanted to keep your mortgage company and government backed mortgage insurance, you too would steer clear and stay the heck back

 

As the old saying goes: the south doesn't care how close a Negro gets, just as long as he doesn't get too high.

The north doesn't care how high he gets, just as long as he doesn't get too close. 

I’m in the north, and i’m being kept at arms distance

 

No affordable housing

No one who will rent to me

No one to make a fair loan to me 

No one to help me get what's due to me

Only folks trying to strip away my dignity

Fair housing is a must

Nothing more to discuss

I’m not gonna beg, imma fight for what i’m due. 

 

April is fair housing month 

It’s april

And yet not all housing is fair