Caedes

  Savage City #1  

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Uploaded: 04/14/09 2:49 AM GMT
Savage City #1
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Status: active

A bit of forebearance here if you will be so kind. I am currently in a bit a savage mood at the state of corporate america at the moment and it carries over into my moods. While I LOVE all the beauty here on the site, I think there is a spot for the dark underbelly of society to be exposed. This is the first in a series of urban shots depicting the dark side of urban life. A bit about Milwaukee. The Menomonee River and I-94 split Milwaukee in half. When refering to the Central City people are refering to the area North of the freeway which is primarily African American. Poverty is rampant, the schools are failing and unemployment hovers around 50%. The High School graduation is about the same. Gangs, addiction and prostitution are rampant. Certainly there are thousands of good decent people living here, but the problems make them fearful of leaving there homes after dark... and sometimes during the day. When people refer to the 'Near South Side' they are refering to the area directly opposite the inner city, South of I-94. This area is an uneasy mix of Hispanic and Asain (primarily Hmong) immagrants and is beset by the same problems. This shot was taken early this morning in the heart of the Near South Side. Both areas have more than their fair share of house fires, due to deplorable living conditions, substandard wiring, people using space heaters or ovens to stay warm...a multitude of reasons. The property values are so low I'm sure this house will be declared a total loss and will remain an abandoned eyesore until the City condemns it and tears it down. By the way...the occupants all got out safely. All 12 of them. An extended Hispanic family living in a rented 3 bedroom house...

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::laurengary
04/14/09 3:20 AM GMT
That's a sad social commentary & definitely one that's all too common, sad to say. As for your image here Rich, I have to say I think it's fantastic. For one thing, you've captured an amazing amount of detail in this one shot, from the bark on the tree to the little red dot on the fireman's helmet. It's clear & sharp & just so sad.....it could also be, like I said, Anycity U.S.A.

Truly a wonderful shot Rich, definitely a fave hon.
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I've got amnesia & deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before ! ... That was Zen, but this is Tao !!! ...CLICK TO SAVE LIVES !
::0930_23
04/14/09 3:26 AM GMT
I faved for the commentary as much for the photo GBRx3. I agree about the need for a journalistic type photo. Sticking ones head in the sand and thinking instances of which you speak don't occur is foolish. I'm not professing a rebel streak by any means but an awareness is needed.
We have the chance to enjoy all the beauty that can be found on this site. A little reality check won't hurt.

:)Tick*

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Insure what you touch during your lifetime, is not coated with the fingerprints of apathy....Tick
::gabriela2006
04/14/09 11:26 PM GMT
excellent shot and narrative ... very artistic people shot Sorry to say living close to Houston those are daily occurrence in the news :)
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::billyoneshot
04/15/09 12:24 AM GMT
A great shot of those wonderful people who run into the fires instead of going the other way. I really applaud your narrative. I think you speak the mind of thousands of frustrated Americans.
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Billy
::danika
04/15/09 5:15 PM GMT
Sadness comes to mind ... glad to hear everyone got out safely. A home can be rebuilt (even though I understand this is a poverty stricken area), but loss of life can never be replaced. Wonderful capture & narrative Rich ... I like how you included the firefighters.
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We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give ~ Winston Churchill
::solita17
04/16/09 7:18 AM GMT
A powerful image... I like how you captured the two firefighters sharing a moment with each other, as seen through the screen of tree branches.

Most people have no idea that Cape Cod is not just fun and sun and limitless beach parties. There are scores of homeless men and women here too, mostly in the 'big city' of Hyannis but in the other 'quaint little villages' too. There is prostitution, addiction, and murder, and there is a high percentage of alcoholism, especially in the wintertime. Thirty years ago when I first moved to the Cape we never locked our doors; now I make sure we're locked in every night. Sign of the times? Probably. It doesn't seem to spare anyone.
mary
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"Never let your studies interfere with your education." - Pete Seeger
::verenabloo
05/02/09 1:47 AM GMT
It's so amazing to me to know this has taken place in Milwauke.
I lived in Oshkosh, as you know, and things sure were different in all the major towns, that was a long time ago. No, we don't want to see these thing nor think about them. As long as we don't lose sight of things, and we make our own good choices, then we need to be able to remain open minded about these sorts of situations. Here in the Portland, Oregon areas, there is so much of the same thing, you write of here. We all have to be more cautious, yet never losing sight of those in need. The ones who truly suffer.This photos says so much. Not only the pain of a fire, but the men who help, and the smoke speaks loudly.Very good photography Rich. Verena
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God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" William Arthur Ward

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