Back to the collabo- being in completely different places and lack of "real life" (for lack of a better word) communication, we ended up researching different things.
I noticed many extremely interesting things on the emptier-than-usual green (I went early Sunday morning)- such as three churches surrounding the green - one of which was built over an old burial ground and still was home for a few gravestones (one was the first governor of "New Haven Colony" from 1657, and his tombstone read a haunting engraving:
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye
At the last trump the dead shall be raised.")
I also noticed a couple political messages in graffiti- one on a huge sculpture saying "STOP BUSH" which seemed to be rubbed out.
What I found most interesting, however, was although the green was almost empty when I went, there was a definite presence of a homeless population inhabiting it. This came apparent to me by using Jacobs' method of analyzing "clues." The clues provided by artifacts helped me explore my research question: "Is homelessness an issue in this area, and what is the community's response to the homeless?" I attempt to analyze some of these artifacts below.
(1) This banner was hanging on the iron fence around one of the churches on the green. In case it is too small the quote says, "Not all those who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolken." Of course, this message could read in multiple ways. One of these messages could be primarily religiously concerned: meaning that people may be searching for meaning in their lives, and religion could be a way to find meaning. However, it could also be aimed at individuals that have fallen upon hard times, and the church might represent a beacon of hope for those people. I feel that this message was intended to be aimed at "wanderers" or the homeless who occupy this green. This sends a hopeful and welcoming message to those people.
(2) There is a bus stop along the green's edge, and this is the schedule mounted into the sidewalk. At the bottom is a church pamphlet that reads, "WE CARE ABOUT YOU." While this pamphlet is probably intended for many audiences, this church is sending the message to the public that although they may feel hopeless or disconnected, there is someone right here on the green who will care about their problems.
(3, 4) I'll discuss the above and below pictures together. Across the street from the green is the "FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY." This name may be insignificant, as most libraries are in fact free, but the fact that it is stated may be welcoming to the homeless. Below, however, is a sign on the door of the library asking people not to stand in the doorway or block the entrance. This is another indicator that there is a significant homeless presence in this area.
(5)This huge banner was hanging outside of one of the churches, Center Church on the Green, welcoming people to come and join their services. This was one of a few signs inviting people to join, and I feel that these churches made significant efforts to make people feel welcome and at home. Intended specifically and only for homeless people? No, but I do think it sends the message they are can seek refuge there.
(6) I took this picture to show the two men sitting on the bench, as well at the porta-potty. Now, I don't assume that these men were homeless simply because they're sitting on a park bench early in the morning. However, there were many benches on the green and these men seemed to be comfortable and relaxed. The porta-potty indicates that there is obviously a need for a place for people to relieve themselves. This may be due to the fact that the green hosts concerts, but perhaps also to accomadate people hanging out on the green, and to prevent people from going to the bathroom anyway.
(7,8) Unfortunately, these two pictures were stubborn and wouldn't resize to display the whole thing. Written in chalk on a paved walkway on the green said "FREE FOOD EVERY SATURDAY 2:30" with arrows pointing in a direction. This was the most blatant clue as to the presence of homeless people on the green. It was also the most obvious clue that there is significant outreach to these people.
Conclusion:
While the artifacts on and around the green could be interpreted as clues in different ways, I came to the conclusion that there is a significant homeless population in this area. I also found that there seems to be a lot of outreach by the community, especially by the surrounding churches.
Let me say that this was much more fascinating than I expected. I realized how lax I am in my usual observations of my surrounding environment. You can actually learn a lot about a community, its demographics, its culture, etc. by simply looking around. Who woulda thunk it
1 comment:
Terrific post; you did a very good job of working with the constraints of space ('twixt Seattle and New Haven). The use of images is excellent as well.
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