In our new special series with writer, speaker and punk rocker Craig Lewis, we have teamed up to tell you 10 different stories through original interviews and short commentaries about different aspects of life, unveiled during Craigβs physical and mental journeys that led him to get inspired and develop his mindset.
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“I lived in a squatted building in Paris France for one month, in the spring of 2018. I shared a small room with An American Heroine in Disguise, A Teenage French Woman + a Senegalese Man + often, Princess Minate, Squat Kitten Extraordinaire.
In order to get to our room, we had to climb this ladder. At the top of the ladder, a hard covering had to be opened, then you had to hoist oneself onto the roof + then climb through a window. Princess Minate could get up the ladder herself and we would carry her the rest of the way, yet she could not get down without our help.
This squatted home was also home to 15 African Men, all of whom landed in Paris as migrants + refugees. Most of them witnessed horrors + torture + some were tortured themselves.
Even as a relatively wealthy (comparatively) American White Man who did not speak French; the embracement I received impacted my life. A two way street of validation existed. It was new for me. I made brothers + family for life. Not everyone can understand the bonds of street educated survivors.
Princess Minate is now one year older + I am told she is doing well. In cat years she is now “Queen” Minate, however; she will always be a Beautiful Princess to me.”
To explore more of Craigβs stories, see our 2017 interview with Craig at this location. Follow Craig via Medium & Etsy.
PREVIOUS CHAPTERS:
- Max from Poltava Ukraine explaining the difference between being a Maniac and Humaniac
- SaΕ‘a sharing her story about the Holocaust survivor.
- Meeting one of the best RnB/Rap artists in Birmingham, Alabama (featuring Tjay Lamar)
- Learning the Difference Between Truly Living and Being Alive, in Sofia Bulgaria
