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Saturday, March 20, 2010

The World Walks By, on Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue, NYC
Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 16th Street.

An older man was propped up on the sidewalk while the world walked by.

I've been using the word 'homeless' to describe a large category of people.

There are those who are truly homeless, who are in obvious need of a shower and change of clothing. Some amass heaps of found objects, shopping carts and bags on the sidewalk, which they call their home. Many suffer from mental illness.

Others live on the margins of society, but are not completely 'homeless'. They look cleaner, healthier. These folks are probably itinerant. They might sleep in shelters or SROs (single room occupancies), where you can rent a bedroom and share a bathroom.

Our local New York news channel, NY1, reports that homelessness in New York City increased by 1/3 this past year. After canvassing the streets, city volunteers found over 3,000 people living outside or in the subways. The shelters are also reporting record numbers.

I've read that many families and individuals that wind up in shelters stay there for a short time. They've encountered a spot of bad luck, like losing a job or losing their apartment. A brief stay in a shelter is what they need before getting on their feet again.

For the NY1 article, click here.

Society's Trash, Homeless Woman, 34th Street Platform and Homeless Man, Central Park.

11 comments:

Joanne said...

Great! Wonderfully caught:)

dianasfaria.com said...

this is a great shot Kitty.
the sad thing is NY is such an expensive place to live that many more people are only a paycheck or two away from not being able to pay their rent or buy their groceries.

on a lighter note, I'm celebrating my blogoversary today with a giveaway. stop by and check it out if you can.
: )

Robert said...

Great Picture!

Mo said...

I hate to see an older person like that it makes me feel sad. I wonder where is their family? Sadly,I'm afraid we will see more and more of this. This is a great photo though, it captures the times we live in. An elderly man whose life is turmoil while a much younger person too busy with life to notice.

Again a very thought evoking photo. Well done.

Robert said...

I definitely have to agree with @Mo on what he say.

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

Kitty, thank you for the photos each day to let us feel just a little as if we are in New York. I just had the opportunity to see a little slice of life on Fifth Avenue yesterday, thanks to you. I've often wished, when I get my city craving (which is often) that there was a really good web cam that I could just watch to see the taxis float by and people walking. If there's a good one that I don't know about, someone please let me know!

lewi14@gmail.com said...

Yes, it's a great shot. It's a pity to see an older person in such situation. In what a time we live?

Frank de Jol said...

Excellent shot !

lynda howells said...

I love street images.Your work is amazing I have two phot blogs that you might be interested in..if you are ever bored!!Hax .
http://lynda-oneimageadasy.blogspot.com
http://chocolatelifeandjazz.blogspot.com
lyndax
I love NY

Fred said...

I like the 3 yellow spots... is there a word for alliteration in photography?

Anonymous said...

Homelessness is STILL a problem in the city, unfortunately.

Paz