One Love
By Ciera Lagges
22 Feb 2008
All my life people have always said don't talk to strangers, especially the homeless ones. What some people don't realize is that everyone has a story to tell. Whether they are rich and famous or poor and homeless. Some of the most interesting people are right in front you but they never get a chance to be heard.
For a photo project I decided to take a walk in downtown San Diego to see a side of people that I had never seen before. Although I approached people that where not homeless but they just weren't that interesting compared to people living on the streets. Granted some homeless people are often considered "crazy and dangerous" I approached ones that looked welcoming. I didn't get their names but most of them were all different.
I came across a guitarist who was playing to earn some money. He reminded me of my photo teacher from high school and I was even more intrigued to talk to him. I gave him a dollar and he promised to write something down and to play me a song. He wrote down "Cents, Love, Money" and played Californiacation by the Red Hot Chili Peppers who just happen to be one of my favorite bands as well as my photo teacher. He told me he had been from all over and was willing to travel some more.
Another interesting person I met was a homeless person just getting ready to sit down on a corner. I went up to him and offered a dollar to his clear Starbucks cup. He was very grateful and wrote down "Jesus Saves" unfortunately when he tried to talk to me I couldn't understand him because he had no teeth. But he just shows that no matter what condition some one is in they won't give up on their faith.
The last guy I approached was sitting in on a bench in a park with a huge packback. He was a very kind man that knew what he wanted to write. He wrote "Endure what you cannot change, and change what you cannot endure." He was by far the kindness out of all the people I talked to that day. He told me that his quote and gotten him through a lot and hopes that it helps someone else one day.
I name this project One Love because of my strong openhearted friend Sheri Marshall. Because all we really need is one love, and one heart.
