It Ain’t Pretty

Do you think I’ve been trying to make it sound like the homeless are all misunderstood heroes simply in need of a hot meal and a white horse?  I tell you that’s not at all the case.  It ain’t pretty living on the streets, and sometimes neither are the residents.  There are junkies and gang members and tweakers and thieves out there, it’s true. But how will you know them from the trustworthy, deserving, good-hearted, and loving individuals unless you take time to learn their story?

Image copyrighted by Chuck Jines and protected by United States and international copyright law. All rights are reserved. The image remains the sole and exclusive property of Chuck Jines. http://www.chuckjines.com/

In Chicago, Heroin is literally oozing from the streets… Much of the gang related gun violence is connected to the heroin market. If you think you can do heroin just one time, maybe while at a party with your friends – think again.

via Street Photography: Heroin Addiction and Gun Violence in Chicago | Chicago Street Photography.

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Alley Boys by C. Jines

By C. Jines | Published February 1, 2013

This photo by C. Jines looks just like I pictured the scene where Snow gets some pills from Tina in order to self medicate.  I think maybe I even see Leonard watching her from the far end of the alley–or maybe that’s just all in my mind like people tell Snow all the time.

It’s so cold here in Chicago that the concrete has turned to steel.

“And there is another feeling that is a great consolation in poverty. I believe everyone who has been hard up has experienced it. It is a feeling of relief, almost of pleasure, at knowing yourself at least genuinely down and out. You have talked so often of going to the dogs – and well, here are the dogs, and you have reached them, and you can stand it. It takes off a lot of anxiety. ”

-George Orwell, Down and Out In Paris and London…

via Alley Boys #Chicago, 2013 | Chicago Street Photography.

Homeless City, Lower Wacker

On his website, Documenting the Human Experience, Chuck Jines posted some photos of the homeless community he found living under Chicago’s streets along Wacker Drive.

I’ve taken to looking after a gentleman named Roger. He’s probably in his mid 50s, and definitely psychologically disabled. Below is Roger’s bedroll. Many of the others living down here give Roger hell about his mess. Roger loves to play with matches, and any kind of rope. He’ll spend hours untying knots. I’ve given him two coats and three hats already this season. Roger has a hard time keeping track of things… like, hats and coats. He says he’s from Chicago, but other places too, like Argentina. Roger says he was down in Argentina looking for oil back in the 20s (he’s not that old!).

via Homeless City, Lower Wacker | Chicago Street Photography.