The People You Don't See
Days of Distancing. Day 52.
Yesterday I passed by this pawn shop. There was a line stretching down the street. I thought about grabbing my camera and making a photo. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't make a photo of all those people, turning them into disaster porn. I couldn't take a camera that to the people in the line would represent a months rent, and turn them into pixels on a screen.
So instead you will have to imagine these folks. All people of color, all in need of cash to support their families.
Imagine the man who had an air conditioning unit in a shopping cart.
Imagine the women with dresses draped across her arm.
Imagine the women holding a box (imagine what is inside, jewelry?).
Imagine the man with his kids game machine, an older model, but still nonetheless worth something.
And in that imagining realize it didn't have to be this way.
And in that imagining realize it has always been this way.
And ask why in times of crisis we force those with the least to give to suffer the most.