RSSTROUBL in San Fran
When most people think of San Francisco they imagine the postcard-picture images of the Golden Gate Bridge. Most people come to SF to ride the cable cars and eat seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf. When TROUBL visits San Francisco, we bypass the latte-drinking-yuppie pastimes of the city. Instead, we explore the real issues that make it one of the most unique places on earth. Zoom in as TROUBL gives a human face to the city’s corner dwellers with cardboard signs.
Gary Brown is 58-years-old. He came to San Francisco in 1967 from Detroit, Michigan because according to him, it was time to leave. Attracted to the city’s drugs, music and anti-war movements of the 1960’s, Brown came because everyone was coming here then.
Once a skilled craftsman, Brown now lives on the streets, where he creates art and plays with his dog. “I used to design and fabricate exhibits for trade shows and museums. I belong to a union, I was a journeymen for 28 years,” he said. “ Money’s a big thing. You know what I mean. I have a trade. I will get a pension when I’m 62. I’m invested in my union.” According to Brown, his art is his therapy.
Brown was a little reluctant to talk with me, but when he realized I was sincere, he opened up. Here are some of his words:
“The situation I’m, I don’t like it but I put myself here I guess. You know, it’s not drugs. I’m not all strung out on dope or any thing like that. I do my heart.”
“I just want a happy ending. This place has turned into a police state here. There’s thing that you should be able to do that they don’t let you do anymore. Civil rights…wipe your ass with it and throw it out the window. You know they’re taking that away”
I guess what really changed everything for me was… A 19-year-girl and I had a child together. The baby dies at 4 and a half-month-old of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It messes with your head…you know; it just changed priorities, all kinds of things in my mind… Things I thought were important really aren’t, you know.”
“And I haven’t figured it out yet…”
17 Comments, Comment or Ping
Diana
His words were very touching and I really felt them deep within. Unfortunately, life throws some major loop holes at us sometimes and for those without a strong support system or a strong sense of self, often get lost and go down the wrong path. There are people in the world who have so much and still feel so alone. Just imagine the person who really is alone and doesn’t have people to go to during trying times. It’s easy to get all messed up mentally and begin to make choices. Yes, there are those people who rise from the situation making them an even stronger person. And to those people I have nothing but respect but unfortunately we are not all build the same way. I wish him the best and most importantly peace within himself.
[Reply]
"A Mom"
People look at the homeless and they see them as another culture. People see Drugs, alcohol, mental illness and lazy people But I look at them and see myself. Most of these people we once working with families and homes or apartments to go to. They were presidents of banks teachers, janitors, city and state workers who fell on hard times. I can’t pass them up on the streets without lending a hand with some money or some just a kind word and I have no problem looking them in they eye with compassion because I see me and I know that I could easily be in their place. These are not the bad people of the world but this is us. The one pay check from the streets.
[Reply]
Boosy
i see them too, i’m out here people talking to me, judging me….music playing guys saying…….well fuck it i’m still reaaaaaaal
[Reply]
*SB*
This is a really serious issue….San Francisco Bay Area has one of the highest rates of homeless people in the country…
Just like Mr. Brown who left his home town to move to San Francisco because of the progressive, free-spirited area it was and still is to some degree…alot of others did as well… they fought and protested against capitalism and for the security of civil rights…emphasized peace, love and brotherhood…San Francisco has always been ahead of the country in terms of open-minded, liberal thinking… (SF State was the first university in the nation to have a Black studies department…had to give a shout out to my former school!!)
I believe it is the efforts and investment put into the city by individuals like Mr. Brown….that make the area so unique!
But you should see the way people treat them now…ignoring them, treating them like outcasts….yes, many of them are on drugs but whats new?…many of them have been on drugs since the 60’s-70’s…and lets not act like the CEO’s and fortune 500 people that run the city are not on similar or worse drugs…
Im not asking people to embrace the homeless when they visit SF but realize that some of those people were the same ppl getting their asses kicked back in the day to create a liberal legacy that the city/area is known for and still prides itself with today…and maybe, just maybe, you can buy Mr. Brown or his homeless colleague a sandwhich or something…
The city should be ashamed of itself in how its handles this growing population…they are citizens as well (i dont give a damn if they pay taxes or not) and their needs should be met!!!!!!!
[Reply]
troublsome
Honestly people do not realize how close they are to the same exact situation happening to them. We all have trials and tribulations that we go through that may result in you being left out on the street like Mr. Brown. I like the fact that even though he is on the streets he is still somewhat using innovative ways to keep himself occupied and not allowing his creative artistic mind to go to waste.
Homelessness is a very serious issue, all over the world. I Live in Los Angeles and honestly the homeless rate in Downtown L.A is disgusting, I once heard that there were 90,000 homeless people in downtown alone, how sick is that? They are barely starting to do something about it now, and that’s only because gentrification is taking its toll, and they need the homeless people out of their way. I wouldn’t be surprised if they just magically started to disappear or die off!
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S E V E N
damn..
what people, as well as i, have to remind ourselves is that these are homeless PEOPLE!
PEOPLE!
and ALL PEOPLE have problems and most of them are similar to to the next mans..
all people have a story to tell that one or many could learn from or have change a life..
it’s good to know that there are people that feel strongly enough about things to take what they love and make it life, with the resulting being problems or solutions..
[Reply]
BIGTone
These people are BUMS! Life is hard, hundreds of thousands people go threw this and they don’t give up. To me he is just settling and it’s people that give him the hand outs that keeps him settled. I understand that not all of them are on drugs etc. On the other hand if you lost your job what would you do. You go get another job. You might have to work at Taco Bell so what its a job. You might need to get two jobs. There are people that live in this country that survive off of 15-20k a year. I would shovel shit if I had to. I just don’t think you give up when shit gets hard. On another note: “A MOM” I doubt you are homeless. You might sympathize with these people but you cant emphathize.
I understand that some of you guys try to find the “GOOD” in everything but please don’t lose the “REALITY” in it!
[Reply]
"a mom"
Big tone,
Empathy is one thing I do have. Your right I’m not homeless but I’ve been right there and was barely feedind my 3 children after divorce. I’ve been on welfare and my children and I barely had food in our house. I’m a college graduate that fell on hard times. And yes I didn’t give up I went back to school and started a new career. But until you have been in my shoes you can’t tell me about reality. And everyone that say people are bums are wrong. I’m not ashamed of what I had to do to keep my family together. I’ved worked all my life and when I was down I let welfare, which was nothing put me back into school and gave me a chance that changed my condition. I can do more than sympathize. ask somebody.
P.S. I’ve been in the 15-20K category and I’m no bum!
[Reply]
BIGTone
You just made my whole point. Being broke or “poor” is one thing, living on the street is another.. When it got hard you did whatever you had to do to survive. You made a choice not to quit. Everyone needs help but just giving up is not an option! These people are bums. When you have nowhere to live and no job that makes you a bum.
[Reply]
S E V E N
hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
BUMMMMMMMMMS!
somrbody should get these bum people’s opinion..
that would be awesome!
[Reply]
"a mom"
Big Tone,
When you have nowhere to live and no job your a bum? Bums can have a job and a roof. If you can’t pay your rent because you don’t make enough at work, your not a bum. Talk to my hairdresser who was homeless for a whole year and she worked two jobs and had to stay in a shelter. I’m just saying I think most people don’t fit in the bum category especially in these times in America.
[Reply]
Jwiggs
First off u have to ask yourself, how did these people get into their situation? Some, yes did fall on hard times, but most fell in love with drugs, alcohol and/or sex games that CHANGE your life and who you are….I myself have spoken with a lot of homeless and/or bums as you people call them. And the one thing that they all seem to do is blame others for their misfortunes, they have a problem taking reponsibility for decisions that they made to be in that situation……so next time u see a bum and want to give them a hand out really think about if you are helping them or enabling them because most of the time they don’t care about anything except getting HIGH!!!
P.S. BUMS SUCK……… MOOCHERS!!!!!
[Reply]
BIGTone
Yes if you have nowhere to live and don’t have a job you are a BUM! If you won’t try to go get a job cause your lazy and you live on the streets your a BUM! If you beg for money you are a BUM! If you can’t pay your rent you need to manage you money better or find somewhere cheaper to live. You can be homeless and not a bum.
bum 1 (bm)
n.
1. A tramp; a vagrant.
2. A lazy or shiftless person, especially one who seeks to live solely by the support of others.
3. An incompetent, insignificant, or obnoxious person: The batter called the pitcher a bum.
4. One who is devoted to a particular activity or milieu: a beach bum.
v. bummed, bum·ming, bums
v.intr.
1. To live by begging and scavenging from place to place. Often used with around.
2. To loaf.
3. Be lazy or idle; “Her son is just bumming around all day”
[Reply]
"a mom"
I understand what you are saying. Do you understand me? I have a few bums in my family and I’m sure you know some. But I still stay everyone that is homeless is not bums. And I guess we have to agree to disagree.
Troubl.
[Reply]
BIGTone
I am not trying to link homeless people with bums. I do however think that some not all homeless people are bums. I have a hard time hearing other people point out the good in bums. Just my opinion.
[Reply]
"a mom"
Big Tone
I think I understand your point.
[Reply]
gary brown
Hey now,
My photo appears in your article, but what happened to my artwork photos???????????????
The photos of my artwork show a whole new facet of streetpeople. The reason I was interviewed on the street.It made your employee stop and take notice.
Let me know, Gary Brown
[Reply]
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♦ TROUBLMan - TROUBL in San Fran
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♦ Terry - Drug Circus Pt. 2
January 14, 2008
♦ Terry - Drug Circus Pt. 3
January 21, 2008