Be

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barefoot-and-crazyy: Yoga every damn day

#RIPTalia

I want to say I can’t wrap my head around the verdict but at the same time this is exactly what I expected. I literally cannot come up with a coherent set of words to describe how I feel right now.

This is history repeating itself right before our eyes. It is the self perpetuating cycle that the...

“Hey man, take my picture!”

“I can’t do it. It’s too dark.”

“Yeah, we need some light. Let’s go over there.”

“Are you homeless?”

“Yes, I am.”

“How long have you been homeless?”

“15 years. I’ve been in Boston 8 months. Before that I was in Washington, Virginia, New York, Philadelphia, Louisiana, Florida…”

“Why didn’t you stay in Florida? It’s so much warmer.”

“I wanted to see my family. But they don’t want to see me. They don’t understand depression. They treat me like dirt. Homeless people treat me better than my family.”

“And what happened 15 years ago? How did you end up on the streets?”

“I tried to burn myself twice. I had 30 surgeries. I was dead two times, but God brought me back. I don’t know why.”

“And why did you do it?”

“I was depressed. Why you crying?”

“Because you are a beautiful person, and my family is really messed up, and I’ve been very depressed. I think I can understand you.”

“Yes, I am a good person. And when you take people’s pictures, don’t disrespect them.”

“No, man, I won’t. I like people. That’s why I take their pictures.”

“And when you make your portfolio, don’t denigrate people. Let the pictures speak for themselves.”

“I will. Are you safe on the streets?”

“Yes, I am…And now I have $8 to buy me some food.”

“That’s all I have. Next time I see you, I will give you more.”

“No, man. It ain’t all about money. Give me a hug. And next time you see me, give me a hug again. And thanks for taking my picture.”

This is a picture of something I did at my school last year. I wrote out 1,986 sticky notes that each said “You’re beautiful” and stuck one to every locker in my entire school. I was so sick of people saying they weren’t beautiful, and I was so sick of people feeling bad about themselves. For one day, I wanted everyone to feel beautiful. So I did it. It took me over 6 hours to write them all, and an hour to stick them all. I never intended for anyone to find out it was me, but when I was found on camera for doing it and called to the deans office, everyone found out. They threatened a three day suspension. The students made a petition with over 600 signatures. It was amazing. For one day, I felt beautiful. And for one day, I managed to make every kid in my school smile. Every locker got one. Everyone is beautiful.

A few days later, I Had someone, a complete stranger approach me. And she told me, “That day, I was planning on killing myself. I had given up completely on society. Because of you I didn’t. You gave me hope. Thank you.”

She is now one of my best friends.