Misfortune

Homeless in our Nation's Capital : 18th and F Streets NW

Many times, when I'm out taking pictures, I run into homeless people. Their circumstances always make me sad and leave me wondering how, in the most prosperous nation in the world, we have people living on the streets. I find it especially ironic in Washington. The other day, I ran across this gentleman. He was asleep on a ventilation grate near the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Red Cross Museum. In the winter, homeless people rig makeshift tents over these grates out of sheets and blankets and sleep in them at night to stay warm.

This photo commences my 100 Strangers series, wherein I'll be asking 100 strangers if I can take their picture and hear their story. I didn't get this gentleman's story as I didn't want to wake him, but I have no doubt it would have been one full of hardship and sadness.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 09/08

Two Things Challenge: Hold / Value

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The inscription on the tomb reads: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."

This week's Two Things Challenge was a little tricky and a bit more complex than the last. The word "Hold" was especially challenging. Thanks to Roget's, I found a bevy of synonyms that enhanced the meaning of this word significantly. The definition for hold I'm choosing as my focal point this week is "to secure or make safe." My subject is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. I arrived on Friday afternoon in time for the Changing of the Guard ceremony right at 12:00. In all of America, this is probably the most hallowed ground outside of the lands of our native peoples. In the tomb rest the remains of soldiers from World Wars I and II and the Korean War. For a time, the remains of a soldier from Vietnam were interred here, but with advances in technology, soldiers are no longer unknown when they die on the field of battle or in peace. Of anything meant to hold or secure, I can think of nothing symbolically more fitting than this in Washington.

Homeless

In contrast to the Tomb, I could think of nothing more stark to portray value than the issue of homelessness in America. I like to keep this blog non-partisan, so I'm not going to wax on about how I feel regarding this issue in our country. I will say this, though: The irony of this photo is, I shot it in McPherson Square, which is located at the corner of 15th and K Streets NW. K Street is home to many of the nation's most powerful lobbying groups--Republican and Democratic--and the values they espouse for big business and special interests. It's also one block from the White House.

Copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/07