Archives For perspective

This is a true story about social class written by a middle school girl who lived in the housing projects. How would you respond to her questions? 

section 8 housing projects Social Class from the Perspective of a Kid in the Projects

As my footsteps make small, shallow noises on the hard hallway I walk down to get to my apartment, I see scratches on the door. I walk inside and see pictures on the wall and trinkets lining shelves. I put down my bags and sit by the computer to get online. After I type in the name of my school. I find articles telling the whole area that I live in a poverty stricken neighborhood that is crammed with people full of diversity.

I read 83% of the children at my school get free or reduced lunches and realize I am one of them.

I get tired of this nonsense and put my converse sneakers on with a perfume soaked sweatshirt to go outside. I leave the apartment and travel out into the parking lot.

Everyone says “Hi,” to me as they rollerblade or ride their scooters around. I walk up to my friends and we play games or just hang out and enjoy each others company. Sometimes we go out to the movies or go shopping at the mall. Other times we go to a teen center, the roller rink, or just stay at home, but we always manage to keep ourselves occupied.

When I come back home I don’t think about how it would be to live in a house, let alone a big one, because I do love where I live already. It’s just when I find ads in newspapers saying that I live in “housing projects” and such things like that that I feel so horrible. I realize I am pretty unwealthy. I think about how my mom Continue Reading…

…the view never changes. Or so the saying goes. But it’s not true.

I experienced this firsthand today while driving through South Carolina on a one-lane country road. No, I wasn’t behind an elephant, but something similar, a school bus. Not only is it so big that you can’t get around it, but it stops every few minutes to let kids off, and it’s illegal to pass.

Immediately I was reminded of the saying about not being the lead elephant. I started to lament the fact that I’d already been in the car for 5 hours and was ready to reach my destination. But then I turned to my right…and left. There were the most interesting trees, huge fields set against green trees and a blue sky, and abandoned, broken down homes.

The truth is that the view does change no matter where you are. Just because you’re not in the lead doesn’t mean there aren’t wonders for you to see and experience. In fact, not being in the lead meant that I got to slow down and stop at key moments on the road when I would’ve never been able to stop before. And you know I had my camera handy too. All of today’s images are taken from the driver’s seat of my car.

It’s really all about perspective. Are you grumbling and complaining behind a slow elephant? Or are you bemoaning the fact that you don’t get to lead? Maybe you’re wondering when it’s going to be your turn. Stop all that. You can enjoy the journey right where you are and begin to notice the benefits of accepting and embracing right where you are. It’s a powerful idea. Why not give it a try?

Manual: Page 81—Copying White Balance from a Photograph.

Images: Looking at images in the competition issue of Rangefinder. So many photographers that are new to me. I can’t wait to explore their images online as well. I’ll post a list later when I’ve got better internet access (Right now I’m literally sitting outside a restaurant that is a converted gas station. Go ahead and laugh. It’s pretty funny and the only place I can get online.)