Posted by Portrait| Los Angeles Skid Row (Los Angeles, United States) on 8 September 2007 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.
San Julian Street is infamous, specifically between 5th and 7th Street: "Crack Alley." It is still one of the highest crime and drug filled blocks in America.
The Alley is one block from the Central City Police Station.
Union Rescue and Midnight Mission are both major non-profit players on Skid Row, they are right on the corner. Missions that each raise funds in the amounts of $30-50M per year.
Homelessness is a social issue, it is also a big business.
Crack Alley has a huge legacy in the heart of darkness.
Moreover, the police also have a huge legacy of turning a blindeye to a very complex social issue.
I have documented conflict around the globe, yet- I cried when I first saw Crack Alley.
American humans are left to waste away in skid row's poverty, that racial and economic bridge that flows into the loveless gutters of inner city Los Angeles. Don't forget--- LA still is the heart of global entertainment.
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wow,interesting due to what you have devoted in photography ! skid row,great!
8 Sep 2007 9:55am
@Kheoh Yee Wei: Kheoh Yee Wei...thank you for your thoughts.
Kuala Lumpur?
Wow, I hope this project does not shift your thoughts on America, streets of gold... And Fancy cars with big flashy rims that spin.
America has a funny way of exporting the "BLING" side of urban pop culture. There is a belly of the beast... And it stinks like a social system that does not care.
Peace, William
Why is it always poor African-Americans that get busted. I think this is the legacy of slavery that still lives on in the heart of a nation.
8 Sep 2007 9:57pm
@Amir: Mr. Amir...that is a deep statement.
This project hopes to point not to slavery, but- to the affects of injustice towards humanity. When race and extreme poverty mix in America, African-Americans often feel the full impact.
Still, nobody forced that guy to sell drugs.
One could debate that the "system" breaks the will... that the stress of life in America is felt harder by people of color because they have less stuff, money and health care.
Yet, your statement about a legacy of slavery is one that I hear far too often on the streets of skid row.
They, meaning those people that live on skid row -- feel that they are not reflected in the media in a correct fashion.
But, as one who has spent a lot of time with cameras on the row...it is hard to find the sparks of joy, and hope!
Well, any spark of life that does not come from drugs or too much drink.
Frankly, only in the context of [faith] is there any real excitement in the souls of folks on the row.
They have been broken by some force, perhaps you are right... I don't know!
There is some kinda of social conditioning that happens directly to the uneducated poor. I call it the group concept...they become like mindless sheep.
I have also seen this happen to many people, teachers, bankers, lawyers and so forth. They give-up the will to fully live.
Not everybody on skid row was born poor...failed dreams, broken hearts and abuse are just a few factors that can make someone's mind snap.
Well then, are African-American's more prone to have mental illness that is untreated, or not treated with the proper health care?
From my understanding, Asian-American women also have high depression rates. But, they are not on skid row.
1) About 80% of the people on skid row are African-American.
2) Roughly 25-30% of the total homeless population are American Veterans, prior military service members.
3) last year there was a head count of all the homeless in Los Angeles County: 80,000 plus.
4) Single mothers with children also make-up a large percent of the total population on skid row. Maybe several thousand kids under 18 years old live in filth and ugly squalor. That number is also hard to pin down. Families are in constant movement from cheap hotel, back to the missions.
They can only stay in a hotel for 28 days... That is what they call the 28 day shuffle; the hotels don't have to provide a mailing address, and quality services.
4,5 and 6 people in one hotel room that is really small for one person.
Very, very complex!
Thank you Mr. Amir, your point is well taken...much respect.
Peace,
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Skid Row | Portrait
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