The bitter odor of weed and crack and other substances saturated the air as we waited to leave on the August Skid Row Watch walk. I have the strangest feeling that it was this aroma that was emanating from San Julian street between 5th Street and
6th street that may have had me agitated. How could one not notice the air was just full of second hand cigarette, crack, and weed smoke. It was a horrible time to be in front of the Midnight Mission
.
6th street that may have had me agitated. How could one not notice the air was just full of second hand cigarette, crack, and weed smoke. It was a horrible time to be in front of the Midnight Mission
.
UH OH !!! The movie people are here!!!
It was a different walk than others. I sensed that many of the residents and the walkers knew that a doumentary crew was on the walk with us. It was said that when Thomas the director was saying that this documentary was sepearate from the SOLOIST movie , I sense that it is still a part of that production , somehow, somewhere it is still a part of the ongoing series of skid row since Steve Lopez wrote those first articles about the area. INtutitively you can't convince me otherwise, after what I saw last night.
It was sureaal and the production crew being present made for an awkward walk. Not to mention I haven't washed clothes in a month and the only clean thing I could put on was one of my suits.
I also did things I normally do not do. I usually stand to the side of everything. This time I stood as close to the councilwoman as I could when Estela Lopez began the speech she gives before every walk. Residents , who usually are not present were present and showcasing the things they do everyday. IT is amazing to me that although they do these things selflessly everyday, like pass out medical cards to the people to get real medical care, they made sure this day those things were done in front of the camera. Who knew that my neighbors knew how to exploit a situation that they normally do not exploit for the world to see , but yesterday they did. I on the other hand ,who am usually in the background and avoiding cameras wanted to see what it would be like to be like others who were doing everything in their power to be in front of the camera. It was very awkward for me.
I really did not like it. I am not a person to showcase my good works and yesterday I was reluctant to do those things because the camera was present. God is in me everyday and the work I do in skid row is sacred. IT is a private work and a sacred work not to be exploited.
Another interesting thing is that in September there will be a launching of the Central City DASH bus and Kathy Godfrey , from Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry's office ,made sure to tell me that I was going to be there to ring my bell and will be recognized for the work towards that effort of 7 years of trying to get that local DASH service that only costs one quarter. Too bad that the Rite-aid on 7th street will be closing it's doors because that would have been one of the destinations .
The person from PATH and I got into it again.
You can see him on the right in the background in front of the camera
It was a different walk than others. I sensed that many of the residents and the walkers knew that a doumentary crew was on the walk with us. It was said that when Thomas the director was saying that this documentary was sepearate from the SOLOIST movie , I sense that it is still a part of that production , somehow, somewhere it is still a part of the ongoing series of skid row since Steve Lopez wrote those first articles about the area. INtutitively you can't convince me otherwise, after what I saw last night.
It was sureaal and the production crew being present made for an awkward walk. Not to mention I haven't washed clothes in a month and the only clean thing I could put on was one of my suits.
I also did things I normally do not do. I usually stand to the side of everything. This time I stood as close to the councilwoman as I could when Estela Lopez began the speech she gives before every walk. Residents , who usually are not present were present and showcasing the things they do everyday. IT is amazing to me that although they do these things selflessly everyday, like pass out medical cards to the people to get real medical care, they made sure this day those things were done in front of the camera. Who knew that my neighbors knew how to exploit a situation that they normally do not exploit for the world to see , but yesterday they did. I on the other hand ,who am usually in the background and avoiding cameras wanted to see what it would be like to be like others who were doing everything in their power to be in front of the camera. It was very awkward for me.
I really did not like it. I am not a person to showcase my good works and yesterday I was reluctant to do those things because the camera was present. God is in me everyday and the work I do in skid row is sacred. IT is a private work and a sacred work not to be exploited.
Another interesting thing is that in September there will be a launching of the Central City DASH bus and Kathy Godfrey , from Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry's office ,made sure to tell me that I was going to be there to ring my bell and will be recognized for the work towards that effort of 7 years of trying to get that local DASH service that only costs one quarter. Too bad that the Rite-aid on 7th street will be closing it's doors because that would have been one of the destinations .
The person from PATH and I got into it again.
You can see him on the right in the background in front of the camera
ON left making sure he is in the background directly in front of the camera
I go on every Neighborhood watch walk and the only time I see that person is when there are video cameras about and the major press. Never do I see him in the neighborhood. I was sure to tell him so. I even asked him if he works late in the evening or if he would come and hang out with us all night long. HE said that that was not his job, why should he? And we wonder why we aren't solving this problem. He claims it is not his job. HE is just one of many who are not passionate about solving the homeless problem but are being paid to be in skid row anyway..I am tired of the games that these so called outreach workers play. When the cameras are around they want to be seen , but during the evening hours and even during the daytime , people like that Gentleman, who is a part of the streets to services program are in his cool , air conditioned office in the Central Division Station. I get upset because the way that these programs work in skid row is that they are basically revolving around the employees work schedules and not those that need the services. Sure, the evening bed times etc, are always available at certain times in the evening . I am talking about the most important work of all and that is helping those who find themselves on the street find help with counseling, drug treatment, medication management , and even SOS. But these programs are at the convenience of the employees of said programs and not those who find themselves homeless 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
As we began our walk, the camera was focused on Jan Perry and others., While Walking with Jan for a while that was when Kathy told me about the DASH bus and how the residents are going to get credit for their work. It is good to know that the residents who do the work, free of charge and fill in the gaps for the LAHSA outreach workers and the paid Case managers and social workers will finally get credit for that work.
Wendell Blassinggame was on his game in front of the cameras as he did his work. He does this everyday without the cameras being there and he stepped in at the right times to do that work. It is good to see the residents getting the attention and the recognition for the work they do and also being able to be seen by the world at large through this documentary that it is a team effort and not just the not-for profits who don't even talk to each other sometimes.
As we began our walk, the camera was focused on Jan Perry and others., While Walking with Jan for a while that was when Kathy told me about the DASH bus and how the residents are going to get credit for their work. It is good to know that the residents who do the work, free of charge and fill in the gaps for the LAHSA outreach workers and the paid Case managers and social workers will finally get credit for that work.
Wendell Blassinggame was on his game in front of the cameras as he did his work. He does this everyday without the cameras being there and he stepped in at the right times to do that work. It is good to see the residents getting the attention and the recognition for the work they do and also being able to be seen by the world at large through this documentary that it is a team effort and not just the not-for profits who don't even talk to each other sometimes.
DSC07325 src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2740649217_30c7e5d571.jpg" width=500>
Officer Dion Joseph rousting someone whon looks like they might be overdosed.
Wendell Blassinggame doing what he does best comforting his neighbors.
Comments