Homelessness Social Commentary

Reflecting on his past life. A life with a home. A life with a family. A life with a purpose.

A man reflecting on his past life in his own reflection, looking down on what led him to where he is now.

"It is just me out here. Society did not feel they needed me around anymore." -Erik

I got into a conversation with this older homeless man named Erik. He has been homeless for three years now and we spoke about the issues of homelessness. He mentioned how everyone chooses to ignore him and other homeless men and women. The broken window resembles how society has failed him, leaving him to feel broken and shattered.

Hiding in the shadows of society.

Society focuses on the newest trends, the celebrities lives, and becoming popular rather than focusing on the growing problem of homelessness in Los Angeles. Men and women are forced to sleep during the day on side streets and stay up at night to protect themselves.

"I focus on the pain. The only thing that is real." - Johnny Cash

Soon after I captured this photograph she dropped a needle and gently picked it up, brushing the dust off, as if it was the most important thing in the world to her.

Shel·ter /ˈSHeltər/ noun 1. a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger. home /hōm/ noun 1. the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.

A shelter is not an adequate living space for a person who finds themselves homeless. Everyone seeks a home, but our government ignores the homelessness' needs by denying them a home. A place to sleep. A place to live. Instead our government lets them fend for themselves. Leaving them homeless without a home and with a shelter.