David Rand
Division Street, USA
I had no idea what I was getting into. It seemed like a fun project, so I just dove right in, but I still had no idea. The plan was to become a work of art, a performance you could say, and in turn make distinct impressions upon our audience. My group and I decided on this because it seemed unique, and we hoped that we would receive a lot more in turn by doing it. Honestly, there weren't many other ideas thrown around either, so there wasnt much deliberation. So we knew we were going to be art, but we had to find our inspiration. We chose to look to one of the main resources in our class, Lake Street, USA.
As the idea began to develop, we decided to take on the physical and emotional characteristics of one person in a photograph by Wing Young Huie. At first we were all going to be the same person and see how different the reactions that we received were. However, we decided that the results would be skewed because I would obviously receive different reactions if I were dressed up as a girl (being the only guy in the group). So the girls chose one picture, and I chose another. Looking through the book, I wanted to find someone with personality, and at the same time choose someone that I could do justice to. As I flipped the pages, one man in particular caught my eye. On page 87, there is a homeless man holding up a sign that says, "Will do odd jobs, please help, flat broke, hungry". The first thing that caught my attention was this man's face. He sported a long beard and a headband, but his eyes really poke to me. I could tell immediately that this man had personality; he looked interesting, like he had a real story. Well that was it, that is how I decided to become that man for one day.
It wouldn't really be realistic for me to become a homeless man for a day and simply sit around campus begging. I had to go downtown for this presentation to really be effective. After recruiting a friend of mine to be a spy and take pictures of my encounters from a distance, I went to town. Dressed in tattered jeans, shoes older than I am, a wool shirt passed down from my Dad, gloves and a hat that I purchased at Goodwill a few years ago, and a scruffy face from not shaving for a few days, I have to admit I looked pretty homely. I also carried a sign made from a cardboard box that read, "Hard Worker, Needs food or $". I took my seat on the sidewalk at the intersection of 3rd and Division, and held the sign at my feet. It was a cold day, however it had warmed up from earlier in the week when the high was 3 degrees. In the first few minutes I simply received a few stares and pointed fingers, realizing that I stuck out like a sore thumb because no one hardly ever begs on Division St. Two black girls from Carleton walked by carrying grocery bags from Econo-Foods, they stared as they walked by and I made eye contact with one of them as she passed. Not 30 seconds later did she come back to where I was sitting and offered me 5 dollars. I refused it at first, no know what to do or think because I knew that I wasn't really homeless but she had no idea. I gladly accepted it after she insisted, instructing me to, "Just buy some food&please." I was blown away. Did I really look that homeless? Then again, I am sitting on the ground in rags with a sign asking for money. Nevertheless I suppose I just never expected the immediate kindness. Growing up in St. Louis, I saw homeless people everyday in the city, and most people wont even give them the time of day let alone 5 dollars. If its anything, passers-by might throw some spare change into a hat. I had to stop and think whether or not I would do the same, sad to say but I don't think so - did that make her a better person than me?
No time for that right now, because here comes a kind looking women of about 45 or so, rapidly approaching searching through her purse. My heart was racing at this point. What am I doing?! I don't want or need these people's money, why are they giving it to me?! (Oh yeah, I had a cardboard sign that says I need it - crap.) She smiled and said
"Hello"' as she crouched down to be at my level. That action alone made my heart sink, she was putting herself on the same level as I was, on the ground, to talk to me and find out my story. She asked a number of questions, testing my ability to make up a story at the drop of a hat. I must have passed because she believed every word I said, and she didn't look like she was just going to drop some change and be on her way - this woman wanted to really help me. I told her that I had trouble finding work and that both my parents were in and out of jail so I was living on my own. She asked to take me across the street to Bagel Bros. So she could buy me lunch and talk about how to find me some work. This was crazy. I was digging myself deeper and deeper but I wanted to stay in character even though I was on the brink of spilling the beans. I graciously declined her offer for lunch saying that I was already offered a cup of coffee and a bagel earlier and I wasn't hungry at the moment. This woman's persistence startled me; she was determined to better my position immediately. She regretted not having any cash on her, or else I could have whatever I needed. She paused in thought, and then said she would be right back running off to her car. I watched her cross the street to her BMW, and I also caught the eye of my friend Jack who was taking pictures from behind a car on the other side of Division St. The woman came running back with something in her hand that looked like a book. She came up to me and crouched down right up close and asked me my name. I told her my name was David. "David, I want you to have this, read it and know that God is with you no matter who you are or where you live, he loves you and I love you too. I will be praying for you David, do you best to find some work and get some food. God Bless You David." She handed me a book of Psalms.
This was all too much for me. I seriously had to fight the tears as she walked back to her car. I really felt homeless and I couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was my physical appearance and what I was doing, or maybe it was that she gave me something that I didn't have. This woman just wanted to help me get food and work, but on top of that she cared about me, not just getting another bum off the street. She wanted to know my name and my story, and make my life worthwhile. The conflicting emotions I had after she left made my head hurt. Here I was lying to this woman for a class project while she put herself way out on the line to trust me and my story. I wanted to tell her but I decided to let it go, she made me feel good and most likely made herself feel better so I should just leave it at that. I got a few more people to stop after that encounter, but none as powerful. Moving around Downtown to different corners and alleys, trying to stay out of the blistering wind, all I could think about was her and what she had done for me. Everyone should be as lucky to experience that sort of unbridled kindness, and everyone should be as smart as to show equal kindness.
I quit early that day, I couldn't stand to lie to these genuinely kind small-town Midwestern folk, I just couldn't do it anymore. That was enough for me, I got what I wanted, I got more than I ever expected. I was inspired that day, I just hope that my inspiration can lead to something as spectacular as what I experienced while sitting on the sidewalk on Division St, USA.
