One.More.Thing.
Dear
Rochester,
I am a registered nurse born and
raised in Rochester all too familiar with some of the challenges we face in
this city. Even in my early 20s, I have grown up seeing that we live in one of
the most impoverished and violent cities to date. Lest we forget that despite the day-to-day
violence from stabbing and homicide, domestic violence has an enormous impact
on our community.
Supposedly I am “safe” now as of
recently. I started nursing school
living out of my car in a Walmart parking lot and I almost died in a blizzard
from dehydration, starvation, and hypothermia. It was hard for me to get into a
shelter because I didn’t have any kids, not to say that people didn’t suggest I
get pregnant so it was easier for me to get food and shelter. Food stamps weren’t
an option for me because I was a full time student, and I effortlessly thank
the college for all their support to help me obtain food and housing. I called
and called the local shelter for months until one night they called and said “I
have great news! ...We can get you one night in the Cadillac Hotel” until I
politely declined and said “Fuck you kindly, I would rather get raped in my own
house this evening. Thank you”. This is our support. This is our safe haven.
My advice to anyone in this
scenario is that it is important to keep “off the grid” as much as possible,
and yes, this includes many mental and physical sacrifices. Make sure you are
aware your personal information is protected, that you keep a close circle of
friends, and that you strive to live and work in a safe environment. In my case
for example, I choose to only work on locked hospital units.
I am currently disabled from
injuries sustained related to domestic violence incidents and persistent rape.
This is what can happen when a person tries to leave; it is very real and that was
a risk I was willing to take for my own safety. Let me make is abundantly
clear- I refuse to be a victim and re-victimized again and again in this system
and in this cycle.
In the
streets of this city
In the Hall
of Justice who says we just are waiting on one.more.thing. to happen before we
can grant you that order of protection. Until then you can’t break your lease.
Around my
friends who feel bad for me because I’ve already had so much taken from me.
In front of
people who laugh at me that don’t know I’m disabled and think I’m crazy when in
reality I can’t hear what you said because I’m partially deaf now, thanks
And one more
thing because one more thing. Another door slammed in the face of the oppressed
.
It’s a laugh
to the blood on my mattress.
A sneer to
the fact that I can’t have sex without my hip collapsing out of place.
And this is
the raw world we face.
One. More.
Thing. It’s what it takes before something can be done about it.
Always.
One. More.
Thing.
