00:00:01.400 - 00:00:56.420

So levels are good, we're on, and we're gonna get into the questions. So, um, today's date is 7/19/2022 [July 19, 2022], and we are downtown D.C. on New York Avenue in front of the downtown Services Center. I'm here with, uh, Ronnie, um, and I'm Reginald Black. Do I have permission to record this interview? Yes sir. Alrighty. So this is just a few background questions. Um, could you share your full name, and where and when were you born? My name is Roniful Islam, my nickname is Ronnie, and I'm originally from Bangladesh. I born in, my, in Bangladesh northern part, it is called Naogaon, district of Naogaon.

00:00:58.200 - 00:01:29.200

And this was where you were raised? Yeah, I was there until my university graduate. And then I went my, I did my second master's in China 2016 to 2018 then come back Bangladesh and then I came to U.S. last year for a third master's in global affairs. Okay, did you come straight to Washington D.C. when you, when you, um, came to the United States? No, I came to University of Maine and now I'm conducting an internship here.

00:01:30.800 - 00:02:46.000

Would you say you have experienced homelessness? Not like that, but I faced many difficulties about financially, sure, I asked to my friend and teacher. They helped me to pay my house. So, how would you describe your current living situation? Like, where do you stay now? A house? An apartment? Yeah. Now, I'm living in, uh, Alabama Avenue SE, and I'm, uh paying, there from my university because I could not pay because my internship is unpaid and also the problem is, like, I literally share the problem, like the university is paying for about—something for accommodation and food cost. Without their support it would be very difficult, like, you know, the U.S. law, with the way U.S. law international student cannot work. So it would be difficult with the university as it stands. So they are helping and I'm, uh, struggling. Yeah.

00:02:47.500 - 00:04:54.500

Do you think that homelessness is a problem in D.C. and the larger region? I don't know if you've been to Maryland, Virginia, but you think homelessness is a problem? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Homelessness is a big problem, because many African American people, I am looking also a little portion of American, white American people, they are also, I, I—when I go outside, in the street I saw many African American people there, sleep at night in the street. So in government or social organization, they should do for them for housing, or assistance, or job opportunity, or social service. I think. That's interesting. So in, so you said you're from Bangladesh, so between Bangladesh and Washington, D.C. do you think homelessness is more prevalent in certain places? Or, you know, do you think what's going on here, in this city, has an effect on your ability to live in this city? Is that something that may be international? I don't know. Yeah, homelessness, I was in Bangladesh, China, and U.S.A., so comparatively in Bangladesh, uh, very few homeless people as in U.S.A. United States is a rich country, but I saw many homeless people in the state of Maine and Washington, D.C., I don't know what, why it is, the problem and social organization, they are helping to homeless people but still it is existed in the society. And in China, I did not saw anything wrong about homelessness because they are very industrious and they're working, but in U.S.A., comparatively here, so, uh, still need to work, uh, social organization, they should more work on this, yeah.

00:04:54.500 - 00:09:55.200

Uh huh, that's an interesting perspective. So you said that you also lived in China and Maine, so what do you think that, say like Bangladesh and China, are doing that may, you know, the U.S. is falling down on that causes homelessness in D.C. or, you know, in the United States. What do you think that, is—what do you think is missing? Like, because the question here is, verbatim, is what do you think are the biggest causes, causes, of homelessness in the city or the region. So you've experienced two other countries, I'm trying to understand. I think the job opportunity is a factor, the factor of, for homelessness, uh, because for, for me, may be international student and they cannot work outside, legally, that's why I can say one or two percent international student they're homelessness in U.S.A., and they are maybe getting some help from the social organization, and some people come from the, South America. They are also, they would be—I'm not sure, but I think—like, in U.S.A. out of a hundred people, maybe 2% from South America they are homelessness, and black American they are also about, maybe, out of, like—if I keep a score like, ten people homelessness, then I can say three, four, people black American they're homelessness, and two people white American they're homelessness, and international student one, or two percent and South American. So, there is some category like one, two, five percent out of ten. So, still there for the job opportunity because the government should change or modify the law, like for an international student they give—because, you know, like, in the United States there is many, many, many job opportunities, but for the law, rule of law or something that we international student, we are not able to work here, but we have in the weekend time, beside our study or research we have every week. We have two, three days but international student we cannot work. So, government should change the law. Because if we, like—student, some people, student have financial ability or some students have a scholarship opportunity but some are self-funding and, you know, the corona pandemic. So, after pandemic, some students, are, their financial situation, all the students are not the same. So if a student, the fault that—like a pandemic, after pandemic their financial system is problem. So one or two percent is an international student they are homelessness. As I said, like some African American people also, they're facing homelessness. So, do you think that, you know, through your journeys, far as, like, your ability to access housing where you are now, like, you know. Could you describe that change, from say like coming from China, here and then having to—like, the way you searched for housing, was able to find it. How was that process? Could you kind of describe how'd that go? In China I was in a scholarship student, that's why I didn't have any problem, because the university gave us fee accommodation and there was some lack of, uh, dormitory opportunity. So that's why the university had some, uh, its own hotel. That's why two years we was living, we had been living in the university hotel. That is gorgeous because we are full funded student. But in U.S.A. perspective, international students, you know, like dormitories always very, very expensive. That's why we cannot afford that in the university dormitory or university hall. So we stay at the outside of the university and every month like 600, 700 dollar per month. So it is also expensive but we are, we are like a student from the scholarship or money or they are from their home country, they bring money and pay the house rent, so it is quite difficult for an international student.

00:09:55.500 - 00:11:21.920

Was it hard to find where you are now? Did it take long to find it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I searched for the, I got the house, rented the room by Facebook Marketplace. But how long did it, how long did it take you to find it? I check about one month, like, June, July—no, two month. Like April, May, two month I search and I came, like, May 30. I had been staying here, uh, June like from 30th of May to, like, August 27th. So almost three months, I will be here. But it take, it took me two months because I searched in Silver Spring or other place, but some people not responding in the marketplace, because from Maine to here and Click List or other website, they are not the website and some real estate company. They are not interested with any agreement with international student there, so it's very problematic and I thank and thank to Facebook that, and they have a option that, like, housing option like, Facebook Marketplace. I found, in Marketplace and I choose—I know many people who has had like advertisement like Silver Spring or Oxen Hill or other places. And finally, I got there in the Alabama Avenue.

00:11:23.500 - 00:13:08.700

But that is also the, my personal security problem. Many black American people are there and in the state and going here and there. I afraid, but people are, some people told me, "okay, Before 10 p.m. you should be able to reach in the home," but I sometimes I went there at midnight. There was no problem, but one of my countrymen told me there is something, sometimes shooting is anytime like just adjust. So, um, yeah. We're definitely going to, I think this next question might get at some of that, but we'll definitely explore some of that. So you were saying you're, you live on Alabama Avenue. So what is your take of how that neighborhood looks? Do you think the housing and the things that you see there, have they impact—do they have an impact on people finding housing? And if so, kind of describe that. No, there is no impact because the house owner is, like, international people, but most neighborhood they are black American people, but the housing, house owner. She's from [something] country. That's why she has no problem to orient in today and any other people because black American, white American, they are like, you know, like good with their neighborhood. That's why not a big problem that is. So, you were saying that it's difficult for international students to find housing. Do you think the job situation for international students and other folks, does that have an impact on people's access to housing?

00:13:08.900 - 00:16:09.100

Yeah, job, one factor is job, and another factor is after pandemic, the house owner thought, they think, like, international student—if they, we conducted and enter in a lease agreement with a student and the house owner, the house owner, think, maybe after some month, several months, they would not be able to pay the house rent and that's why they are afraid and they are not, they are unwilling to go ahead, take part in that process. So you're saying that some of the housing providers you talked to, basically had a fear that you wouldn't be able to pay for enough housing based on you being a student, and I assume that you may be working, so, like, what kind of jobs were available to you to be able to rent them? I think you rent a room, or is, you're renting a room, right? So what jobs were available that paid enough for you to rent the room? How long did you look for that employment? I looked in employment and living hotel as a—to assist to them. Or also, I looked in other job in the shopping center as a salesman. But the, I got the job but I, legally, I could not and I finally decided I could not, because if I do the job, maybe the university will cancel my student, that's why I applied and I did not continue the job, continue any job, because there, I follow, and obey the U.S. law. So I also, I conducted with my coordinator or advisor. They told me, "please, do not work on campus except your internship," so this is the, like, problem. So if the U.S. government would, will change the law and, like, for weekend or for their free time a student can work, so then it would be very, like, convenient, convenient to pay, like like, you know, like by clothes or other things, because our internship is unpaid. Some, some internship is paid, but, you know, like in the summer or internship is very competitive but it is a mandatory internship, but internship is good for our future career. So I think government should change a law for the international student. Yeah. And, and I'm glad that you brought up, you know, the government and the law, because I'm hearing that there should be some changes, um, far as international students. Do they suggest to you, like, governmental social services? Do those have a impact on what you're able to do far as being a student? Or can you not apply for benefits? I'm just trying to understand.

00:16:09.100 - 00:17:04.900

No, no university never introduced any social organization or help. Just one thing, university every week, they supply us some food, like, but that food is not good because they give us some bread or other things, like, small things, cosmetics or like this. But does, it means like you can survive, you will not die. Yeah, that's interesting to hear that, like, they don't suggest any benefits far as, like, welfare, they're saying that you have to do an internship, and an internship has to be, what, for a year? Is that right? No, three month, three month. Okay, three months, but it's unpaid though. So, first of all, three months, you're talikng about you can't work, or you're working but you can't get paid, you can't get paid right now.

00:17:04.900 - 00:17:44.300

Yeah. In the U.S.A. I'm thinking, like, when I was in Maine I was thinking I am in the jail, and I am in D.C. and I think I am in the jail in, in the system, in the system is very, uh, aggressive. Matter of fact, there are some questions about jail. Yeah, the system. So, I don't know if you know about policing in the United States, but from what you do know, do you think policing in the United States has an impact on homelessness?

00:17:47.900 - 00:19:17.500

I don't know, but I lost my bicycle, someone, yeah, I can remember, but I lost my bicycle. So who stole the bicycle? The homeless people, I think, or the drug addicted people. Because my, I bought the bicycle about $100, but I have, after two, three months I lost in front of my house. So I think that it is cost and he picked from the homelessness people or drug addicted people. So, and the police came, and they took my number, name, number, and date of birth, but they did not source or I could not find the bicycle, lost project. So definitely this question gets at it, so is there any impacts on some of the immigration laws, some of the criminalization of immigration, does that impact people's housing as far as on homelessness? I think you may know that firsthand. Like, just, how does immigration have an impact? No, no, immigration is not a negative impact because U.S., in the U.S.A., like, some people from the, coming from Latin America, or Africa, or other country. They are coming here You're from, like, what, South Asia, right? Bangladesh, you're from, like, South Asia?

00:19:17.500 - 00:21:52.100

Yeah, but we are legally—I'm saying legal and illegal, because we are, we are here legal process. We're students, because we sometimes will, you can do in the on-campus job, but off campus outside campus job we cannot do. This is the law. I'm legal, I'm on the legal, but I'm saying, like, some many people are coming from the Latin America, Africa, they are in the illegally, they're coming, but they can do—they're doing any job because they are determined, and because they are in the U.S.A. and they have a Social Security number or other things, and they are doing any job because, because after one year or four years or five years, they are not going to back their country. That's why they had no tension about their own thinking, because if they go outside, they would, they would not enter in the U.S.A. That's why they entered the U.S.A., and they are doing any job in the U.S.A. That's why they are not negative impact to document alleged criminal or something, because they're doing job, they are paying their housing and accommodation, and they bring their family member in the process because they're getting the green card or something process, they're, uh, bringing their wife or children like this. So that and illegal immigration is not also a problem because in the United States, they need the labor force. So they are here, they are doing hardworking and get the money, and pay the house rent or other things, but inside the America, some people are lazy and, uh, and drug-addicted people, they are in the homeless section. Yeah, um, there are some people who, you know, have faced the disease of addiction and, like, what I know is like, there's been a War on Drugs, in a nutshell poverty is, like, criminalized here in the U.S., so you know, and there are a lot of ways that people lives are shaped by criminal records. So far as, like, Health Services do they give you any health benefits? No, for the student or the— Yeah, because like, and I'm still trying to understand like, the set up with the housing. So, they're telling you that you do a three month internship unpaid but before, you got to go through your courses which is, I don't really know how long the courses are, but—

00:21:52.100 - 00:22:27.520

For the summer courses I have to I have to pay $1000 to the university. Right. And I'm trying to understand the setup with that because you said you're renting a room on Alabama Avenue. So it's like, are they paying that or what? Yeah, the university pay me, like, about three thousand dollar. So it is, it will cover my accommodation cost and food cost. So, so all you can do is pay your rent, transportation.

00:22:28.300 - 00:23:19.320

Yeah, transportation also they paid. And every so often you can buy a couple books for your classes. Not books for all the classes, because for the like, $3,000 total is to 3000 like is about 3600 dollars. $600 for the transportation and $3000 for the accommodation or food cost. But you know, like for my personal money from my parents, I have to bring $1000 to pay my university summer internship. To generate what I am, I'm not understanding why I am staying here, I am doing internship here, but I have to pay one thousand dollar to the university and not what type of the university policy. It is like interesting. Yeah. Because, like, I would, I would—

00:23:19.800 - 00:23:41.000

And health insurance I have to pay but, but currently, due to my financial problem I don't have, I don't have health insurance. Yeah. So like, so like, they don't provide you any health services, and like—so what happens if you get sick? I don't know. You got to go to the emergency room and just hope?

00:23:41.000 - 00:25:49.100

I don't know. I have already, I am sick, like, my left leg, there is like sometimes I feel pain, and a few days ago I fall down in the public bus and in the bone, I don't know the bone is broken or not. Sometimes, many times I feel pain and I could not sleep properly, but I could not go to the hospital because it is very expensive. So maybe thousand dollar I have to pay that. So I don't have many and it depends on to my God so like I cannot go to the hopsital. Yeah. That's a significant impact on health. So you're saying that you're an international student. So, far as like—do you think, like, the quality of your education or the access to it will have an impact? I am here, you know, like I'm sacrificing, I'm personally sacrificing if anything because I am, I will get a certificate already, and I'm thinking next year, I want to start a PhD in U.S.A. or Canada so that in, during my PhD, like, I can do research and also I hope I will get some funding or, like, every month, if I get some money I could pay for my house rent or accommodation, or food, it would be better, like, you know, my future career, that's why I'm sacrificing now like I am, because I can work in Canada or U.S.A.—I don't know in U.S.A.—but I can, if I, if my friend are living in Canada I can work there. But here this I'm thinking this degree is important and I will get the certificate of the, after the degree. That's why I'm still here. So uh, since you've been here, are you aware of any groups, or strategies, or people that are engaged to try and end homelessness? Do you know of anyone that wishes to do that?

00:25:49.400 - 00:26:58.300

I don't know about, in the Alabama Avenue, there is, there would be, you can find many homeless people because I saw, many days there are many people, like, group of people, two people, three people, they are sleeping in there. Also, many days when I was walking in the street, in the, beside the Potomac River, there is some tent, many tents, and also in the McPherson Square, there is many tent, homeless people that are living there. So what should movements and groups be doing to mobilize against homelessness? You know, you said that there are these people there, so how should, how should they attack this issue? Like, what do you think should happen? You know, short-term, long-term, politically— The solution, you mean solution? I mean, in some ways, yes, but like, if they were to be organized, right? Like, what kind of things should they do?

00:26:59.800 - 00:27:20.100

You mean, you asking me about the solution of the problem or the, or the— Like, if there was a movement or group— Oh, the homeless group? You know, I mean, if there was a movement or group of people working to end homelessness, and they have these people, what should they be doing, what should they be encouraging them to do?

00:27:23.800 - 00:29:49.300

Oh, so they can tell politely, like, if they are able to work, or they can get a better life than they are because they are surviving or struggling in the outside, in the park or state, and maybe victim up on criminalized something. So if their work continues, uh, and if they have been health problem, government should, or some organization should give them health service, and organization should give them to a housing. Like, every city, like, four story or six story building, government organization or something to build a house for the homeless people like this. Or first give them job opportunity or health service, and if they go out and if they are capable to pay their rent, it is good. But if some people, they cannot be able to work or they have some, still facing the big health problem, then the government should keep them in a special house for the homeless people. That's interesting. Do you see, um, do you see any ways that international students could get more involved in a movement to end homelessness? Do they have a role in that? Are there, or is that just something for students in general? I don't know, but I want to heal for a sister because I work in the refugee crisis, during a refugee crisis, and there are educational development and their deportation, so if I get that this kind of opportunity, I will, I'm interested to work for the humanity, for the homeless people. And education and development, and like, you know, it is a social problem. So we together, uh, we can solve this problem. Yeah. I think that that would be something cool to happen. So if, you know, if this were to happen, there was like a movement of students that was creating housing solutions and you can, you know, be as extravagant as you want. What would that look like? There was this, a movement of students working in homelessness. What would that look like?

00:29:53.500 - 00:31:13.570

Like, some group of organized people, they can go to the that place, is street or park, to understand them and, like this and the organized people, they should have an office every city and so that they can monitor and talk with homeless people and work for them to solve the homelessness. Are there any other questions that I might have missed? No, I already said about governmental regulation and we, all people should be united, and, yeah. I already discuss all the point if you leave. And I am ready for any assistance for the future. If you need any help, I am part-time or full-time based, or volunteer, or payment based. I will, I'm ready for work here. Okay. Alrighty, so I guess that would conclude the interview.

00:31:13.730 - 00:31:14.900

Alright, thank you.