reader opinion

A photograph in an alley

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The wind practically blew me up an alley not far from the Capitol Building. As I walked, I noted two individuals ahead of me – one was standing, wrapped in a blanket; the other was slumped against a wall.

As I approached, I asked if everything was all right. The young person on the wall said nothing; the other in the blanket said, “Yeah, we’re okay; he’s just coming down.” 

My reason for being there in the first place had to do with my chronicling through photography the artwork I find painted on the sides of buildings.

After a few moments of silence, I asked if I could make an image of them. The one in the blanket replied, “Yeah.”

The photograph captures something I’ve witnessed numerous times - individuals who appear to be homeless, hungry or in some way hurting.

While I don’t know the circumstances as to why and how these two young men came to be standing in a wind-blown alley, I left them determined not to be silent about a problem I have seen and begun photographing in downtown Olympia.

In a twist of irony, the image is an abstraction highlighting that these two young men – as well as many others in the area – are NOT abstractions.

Perhaps the image above will further serve as a call for less talk and more action from our city, state and, perhaps, federal leaders in addressing this reality of a photograph in an alley.

          ~ JM Simpson, Lacey

JM Simpson is a veteran photojournalist who lives in Lacey.

The opinions above are, of course, those of the writer and not of The JOLT. Got something you want to get off your chest? Post your comment below, or write it up and send it to us. We'll likely run it the same day we get it. 

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  • FordPrefect

    At least one of these gentlemen pictured is breaking the law. Many, if not all of the men and women on the street are struggling with addiction to ILLEGAL narcotics. For most, the money to fund their habit also comes by illicit means.

    There has to be a REAL safety net at the bottom. Jail provides food, shelter, clean water, and most importantly, isolation from drugs. Free housing or a soup kitchen might be the right answer for a handful, but for most the graveyard spiral continues downward with continued access to narcotics.

    Stop the cycle of addiction FIRST. Enforce the law and uphold sentences. Jail is the first step. It doesn’t sound nice, but it’s vastly preferable to the systemic neglect that lets these poor folks overdose and die in the cold.

    Our leaders are soft on crime and it’s destroying our city. Homelessness is exacerbated by half-measures. Who is winning right now? Perhaps those charged with mitigating the crisis stand to gain from perpetuating it.

    Thursday, February 23, 2023 Report this

  • Joyful

    FordPrefect seems to suggest at least a beginning to deal with the real issues of no enforcement of the laws regarding drugs. After time in jail without drugs, and their systems free from drugs, they might be more interested to receive housing and other offers of assistance leading to a cleaner life.

    Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Report this