In 2015, after researching for about two and a half years, I designed and built my fabulous tiny house on wheels. My tiny house is the culmination of a long standing dream and desire to live a lighter and free-er lifestyle. My tiny house is my non-traditional retirement plan.
As part of the early beginnings of the tiny house movement I didn't really see other Black and brown faces represented. Nor were the issues of racism I've encountered within the movement and in trying to find parking locations, in RV Parks and rural areas, being included in the broader conversations. Additionally and very unfortunately, the "tiny house leaders" were resistant to conversations about and actions representing diversity and inclusion. That then meant I had a responsibility to lead the conversations to ensure those concerns and BIPOC voices were well represented and heard and to ensure the movement is also accessible to our community. I see this work as the intersection of art and activism; the art that is my tiny house and my activism for my community.
Tiny houses present an opportunity to challenge the status quo of conventional community and housing, both of which were literally built on inequity and continue to operate as designed. I see my work as liberation work- working to disrupt the status quo to create and build safe and equitable communities, using movable housing and businesses as the infrastructure for change. This is the work of moving the tiny house movement forward from individual solutions for affordable housing into the building of resilient communities that address collective needs.
Jewel
~Ms. Bohemian Soul
