Posted by Portrait| Los Angeles Skid Row (Los Angeles, United States) on 11 September 2007 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.
Skid Row Portrait is a documentary work about people and their struggle to find peace, and a safe place to call home!
This project is not about my ability as a imagemaker and photographer.
Race and economics are only elements of the total story which will be presented over the course of time. So, don't rush me with emails asking... "What's with the down and out African-American people, OR, what is this project about?
Don't ask about my ethics as an artist, such as: "do I care about these people."
Don't use code words when writing to me. If you don't know my race..so what!
In America, do I have to be from Japan to love Japanese people?
Do I have to speak Spanish to have concern about little Mexican migrant kids sleeping in squalor in Los Angeles, Ca.?
Lets keep it real!
The fact of the matter is African-Americans have been on skid row, and America is trying hard not to care.
This is year 2007.
Many of you work in the media. And have helped to create this mess by not telling the real story in a timely fashion.
Pop Culture is all about flash and bling.
Or is it?
Or is it about the people and culture.
There have been movies made about skid row from vans and cars. Many folks who produce pop culture have fear about looking at this big mess.
Yes, even I could not deal with issues of injustice in America...the land of the free and brave. As a young photog in my early 20's, even I snatched my cameras and went to hotspots in 3rd world countries.
Heck, American valor means nothing if it is only part of some branding slogan.
This story is not about down and out African, Asian or new Migrant-Americans.
It is the story of life in America without education, healthcare and economics; the people in this project have no voice. Here in America, money creates power, proper healthcare and freedom.
Race and economics is an old story in America. However, what is new is that Skid Row is in a rich city. Gentrification in Central City is shifting the complex nature of Skid Row. Non-profit providers are closing their doors to people that need help because of reduced funding.
And mental illness looms large...could you sleep on the street without going crazy?
The end of an era is drawing nigh. Big money is forever going to displace 1000's of people.
This project is not about a welfare mindstate, or does it seek to advocate handouts to the poor.
Nor handouts to the newly rich in the form of tax breaks, low cost loans and free rent.
Many of you seem to understand this saga. Sadly, for the most part you live in other parts of the globe.
We as Americans have the nerve to go around the world and try to create order.
After watching the classic American movie Wizard Of Oz ... Even I learned, there is no place like home.
There is a browing of America, a shift in culture.
How dare you America!
Respect humanity regardless of ethnic orgin and skin hue.
The image on this page is about crime, and drugs in a community that has a legacy of turning a blindeye to crime. Darn the police station is one block away!
One question: how many Americans would allow that to happen in their communities.
::: This site is 21 days old today. Thousands of people have come to visit. More private emails then I can sometimes answer daily.
Sincerely I thank each and everyone of you for those visits, and private emails, and public comments. That gives me hope.
Today I'm venting because it hurts me to hear the code words about: "them and those people"
This is 9/11.
I shout peace to the middle east, asia, south central los angeles, gaza, what up japan... you doing big things, much respect poland, france, italy and to my new persian friend... Yea...To you much love, you understand "legacy."
::..Peace. William
skidrowportrait [AT] gmail [DOT] com
all work(images, text, and comments) are owned by william shepherd. All Rights Reserved Copyright(c) 2007-2008. You may pull feeds from this site..However, no image or text may be used without my grant. Please contact me if your wish to utilize images and or text. william shepherd :email :skidrowportrait {remove@}gmail.com
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Nice one again.
11 Sep 2007 10:11am
very powerful image.
11 Sep 2007 2:33pm
Wow, that you've gotten so many private emails, and it would appear, so few public comments, is very interesting. Apparently there are a lot of people out there even more afraid than I am. I used to say whatever I thought in public, but with all our new "freedom" I find myself being a lot more careful than I used to be.
19 Sep 2007 10:30am
@Twelvebit: Afraid...afraid of what?
Afraid that their views maybe exposed, globally!
I often wonder what the fear is ... Skid Row Portrait is all about exposing a blind system. Yet, many people do seek to confront these images on a private level, it may help them personally deal with the injustice and confusion that I am trying to present.
The new freedom that you speak about is really reduced freedom.
Honestly, I jumped into this project because the subject was so counter to what I have seen in the media.
I have documented conflict around the globe, but- skid row is at conflict with the system, and the system creates conflict with poor people, regardless of race or ethnic origin.
Peace.
Yes, essentially, afraid to be associated with certain views that are deliberately marginalized and made unpopular. This isn't a society that has much use for empathy. The official line in this country is that individuals are completely responsible for their own condition. This both excuses what is and isn't done, to and for, the unfortunate (since there are no "unfortunate" people by this logic), and lets rich people believe they deserve to be wealthy --no matter how they got their money.
19 Sep 2007 10:59pm
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Skid Row | Portrait
Skid Row | Portrait
