I believe in honesty, loyalty, and humility. You learn that on the streets–you learn to face your fears. People become transparent even with their masks on. You learn the wealthy have choices, and the hungry just try to survive. You learn there are angels where some would perceive monsters, just no one took the time to look at their pain. And how easily their choices became a reflection of their worth.
In the streets, if you are strong enough, you may find yourself empty, broken, and filled with fear. Yet blame nothing but your own reflection. That demands both valor and a sense of humility within. When you look at your feet and put one in front of the other, just so you aren’t overwhelmed with the path ahead. That takes perseverance. It takes a strong person to own their shortcomings, to be open, to be judged. That’s honesty, that’s knowing you’ll never be enough for them, but they are cloaked in a factious sense of self, so don’t forget that.
In the streets, it’s hard to go against the grain and not be isolated for it. To stand up against the majority, conflicted between what’s right and what’s cruel. To take a stand for someone who can’t get their footing. To protect someone you don’t know, even if it’s against those closest to you. That’s fearless. That’s being loyal to you. To make that line and not cross it out of fear or rejection, that is empowering.
There’s honor among thieves and corruption in beautiful things. The streets taught me that.
la
