Dismissed Why is it the elderly are overlooked? Why do so many think they have little to offer? Weak, feeble minded, useless...so many thoughts of a younger society as they dismiss them... May we see instead strength for the years survived. Courage they have to continue as friends, family and loved ones are lost before them. And see the wisdom, knowledge and stories to be told... Open our hearts and learn from them...and hope when it's our turn someone else will do the same in return....

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Main St. ~ Northampton, MA

Northampton is known as an artistic, musical, and countercultural hub. It features a large and politically influential LGBT community along with numerous alternative health and intellectual organizations. Based on U.S. Census demographics, election returns, and other criteria, the website Epodunk rates Northampton as the most politically liberal medium-size city (population 25,000–99,000) in the United States.
Northampton is home to Smith College and the Clarke School for the Deaf. Smith students contribute to Northampton's college town atmosphere. There are also 4 other colleges in neighboring towns ~ UMass, Amherst College, Hampshire College and Mount Holyoke.
Northampton is as diverse as the people. It's a destination town filled with culture, shops and every kind of restaurant imaginable. As you may have also noticed from many of my street people shots, it is also very accepting to the homeless and I find that many of them come from neighboring towns during the day to panhandle.

In response to Larkphoto, my Hasselblad is strictly film.

Hasselblad 500 c/m
100mm lens

Brandon & Newton

I love meeting and speaking to someone that is most often negatively judged by many for their appearance. Brandon was being slightly harassed by a couple of security guards from a neighboring building. There had been some 99% protesters making some noise in the area. Even after seeing he wasn't with them, but still homeless, they hung around him making some rather obnoxious conversation with him ~ I believe with the intent of making him uncomfortable so he would leave the area. I stepped in acting oblivious and started making normal conversation with him and asked if I could photograph him. The security guys wandered off. Brandon has indeed been a 99% protester, having been part of the initial NYC protests the prior year among other locations. Brandon is college educated and extremely intelligent. In spite of or maybe because of a very rough upbringing he feels he wants to make his voice heard for change. He travels with his dog Newton (as in Sir Isaac) to where he thinks he can make the most impact. He believes in free speech, freedom to be who you are and to love whomever you want. I told him it was great to see someone so young getting involved and on the flip side, he was happy to hear when I told him I've seen mostly the older folks involved for he thought it was mostly his generation ~ wonderful to have ones eyes opened by different perspectives. Brandon plays the guitar and sings on the streets for whatever cash he can to get by, though he couldn't afford the "performer" fee required in this city. I slipped him a few dollars and wished him well...

Hasselblad 500 cm
100mm lens

Survivor

I was out looking for some folks I had shot prior when I came across a trio of guys just hanging out shooting the breeze. I had recognized one of them from prior shoots and thought he might have seen one of the guys I was trying to find. So I politely interrupted them to inquire ~ yes, they did know him and even called him so I could speak with him...anyway, we all ended up having a nice conversation, more about photography than anything else so I really didn't get much of a story from them. This is Sun. He had some noticeable characteristics that you can see and stood with a cane; I would have loved to have heard whatever of his story he cared to share...maybe next time...

Homelessness.

It shows no preference, no judgement of ones, color, race, age or religion. The reason for being homeless runs the same gamut ~ running from abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, or just plain rotten luck in life. The life expectancy of the homeless is aprox. 30 years less than those who are not..and that isn't because of drug and alcohol; their life expectancy is 10-12 years less regardless of their living situation. Needless to say it must be tough to get off the streets once you're on. True, there are shelters, and programs out there that try to help, but it's not enough and the kindness of strangers is far and few in between. I didn't pry into Taylor and Angela's story, I only take what is offered. Taylor said he had some leads on some work, but he needed a "babysitter" for his dog first. My five dollars won't get them much, but it's all I had to give. Northampton is a pretty decent town in being kind to the homeless, the cops don't harass them and let them beg and panhandle.

Hasselblad 500 cm
100mm lens

Tina - 51 years old

Tina had caught my eye when I was speaking with Matt (yesterday's post) and he was quick to introduce us. I told her I'd love to come back and speak with her once I finished shooting Matt and his brother if it was OK...she eagerly agreed.

I was surprised when Tina told me she's there all the time for it's the first time I had seen her. Years she said she's been out here. A 28 year abusive marriage, years of substance abuse (she's clean now) and a rap sheet as long as her arm keeps her on the streets. She receives $600. a month from the state and as she aptly puts it "you can't do much with that". It's a repetitive story I hear; once on, and even if you've "gotten on the right track" it's almost impossible to get off...

Thank you all for the great comments on yesterday's shot...it really surprised me that it received the attention it did, my street shots don't generally attract near as much on this site in comparison to my colorful landscapes. This is a project dear to my heart to bring focus to those with less means in helping themselves ~ who knows what bringing this subject to light may do to help, but as I continue to grow it I hope to do more with it. Thanks again...

Kim

Chad and Matt

Brothers. I went into town today to bring photos to those I've shot if I could find them. Didn't expect to shoot, even forgot my camera originally...glad I went back for it. I noticed Matt (shirtless) as I walked along; chilling on the sidewalk, cell phone plugged into an outdoor outlet. I said hey in general, not thinking he was without means, when he asked if I had some spare change. Needless to say we got into a conversation and he bounded to get his brother so I could shoot both of them ~ along the way he introduced me to Tina who you will meet soon.

They had lots to say, especially Matt. Chad is, in his words, "a failed journalist", both heroin addicts and homeless but they don't look for sympathy and always will have a smile on their faces. They make no excuses for who they are and know they have to live with the consequences of their choices in life so far. Both have felony records for non-violent crimes. They had asked if any chance i was heading to the next town over; they needed to get to the homeless shelter before six in order to check in and have a spot. No, I don't normally take chances like this, but I did have a good vibe from them and said sure, I just needed to deliver some pics and be heading out. On the drive Matt continued to tell their story. Both educated, both from somewhat broken homes. Matt was in prison and on his own since sixteen. Chad has his bachelors degree. For the first time I became on the questioned end as Matt was curious so I shared a bit of myself as well. "See" Matt exclaimed after finding out I had been laid off ~ "even someone like you has trouble finding work, now just imagine what we go through!". "Housing and employment, that's what's needed" ...with that he asked who I was voting for... ~ Brothers, by blood I'm not sure, but by spirit most definitely...either way, doesn't matter, it's what they are.

Spider and Raven

Spider is a bit of a wild man; he spoke of corrupt cops, drug parties and his love of horror movies. Raven is one of his wives, Erika his other wife didn't like being photographed, though she allowed me to get her from the side with their dog Chunkamonkey. Young, looking worse for wear they seemed rather upbeat and didn't bemoan their circumstances. Erika had a lead on an apartment and thought they might all be able to stay there. Not sure exactly what the hand jester means, but it's how Spider wanted to pose and he approved of the shot...

Ben ~ homeless 2

I had an amazing experience last evening. I almost didn't recognize Ben; gone was his beard, the hair was cut short and his head was hat less ~ I hadn't seen him since early this past spring, He smiled at me and we greeted with a handshake. I asked him how he has been. He was so eager to talk. He told me had been in prison for 60 days for buying alcohol for minors a couple of times to get some extra cash, but now he was working on his rapping in hopes of cutting an album. It'll be a family affair; he is the second eldest of six children but his siblings are scattered so it sounded like it'd be a while - though he had hope in his voice. I asked him to give me a sample; for a white guy he did pretty well :). He told me of a new sandwich shop in town that his brother took him to before leaving for Alaska. It was getting late, wondering when he last had a real meal, I asked him if he had any dinner. With an answer of no, I asked him to show me this new place so we could get some thing to eat, my treat. We had great conversation to go along with some great sandwiches. Ben amazed me with his intelligence and his stories, so much so I wondered what his demons were that kept him on the streets. He ended the conversation with "you have to keep learning if you want to move forward in this life". So true Ben, so true...I learned a great deal tonight...thank you.

Dismissed

Why is it the elderly are overlooked?
Why do so many think they have little to offer?
Weak, feeble minded, useless...so many thoughts of a younger society as they dismiss them...
May we see instead strength for the years survived.
Courage they have to continue as friends, family and loved ones are lost before them.
And see the wisdom, knowledge and stories to be told...
Open our hearts and learn from them...and hope when it's our turn someone else will do the same in return....