homeless--the new norm HOMELESS IN FRESNO

It's missing something to me though...The Homeless themselves.  Maybe it is just my way of thinking but you can't really tell a story about the Homeless with out having the Homeless themselves in the image (see my Faces Project). 

I grew up in Fresno just curious as to what part of town that is in.

Thanks for the comment, and I agree with you. For a bit of an explanation of the lack of people, if you would go to my homeless folder to the image, "Foxes Has Holes" you would know where I'm at on that.

This is under the Freeway 41 just after it separates from Highway 99.

Do you remember that feature in Reader's Digest, "Life in These United States"? This picture would be a telling, present-day visual addition of that old collection of vignettes. Nowadays it's hard to believe we were ever such a hopeful, cheerful people.Who would have ever thought that it would come to this?

Nice to see you back. I've missed you. 

And, yes, I never thought I'd see so many of the things I'm seeing lately. And, most of it is not good.

This may be my favorite of your homeless series so far. I find the patriotism to a country that has abandoned them highly ironic. I love that big blue ball of the earth and that the American flag appears to be planted in Russia. I still wish I could read all of the signs. I suspect that in your original they are probably legible. 

Thanks. I don't know if there is any significance to the flag being planted in Russia or not. I suspect it is just chance. One thing I've noticed all around the homeless encampments are flags. And I agree with you, that if I found myself in those circumstances I'd probably not feel so good about my country. I think religion flourishes because it offers hope where there isn't much. Patriotism is perhaps a way of saying that even though we're (homeless people) are castoffs in this country, we're still citizens and a part of it. 

 

As for all those signs, I'll have to take another look. I think the first one or two are readable and I know I saw a Bible quotation. But because it was under an underpass and not the best lighting, the white signs got over-exposed, and the details on them is blown out.