Nate
Over the past few months I have spoken about my friend, Nate - or more to the point, Nate K. I have posted his writings on a subsequent Substack site - one devoted to the writings of those living ‘displaced’. Throughout the week Nate will text me photographs that he shoots while walking the streets of Nashville. He also writes poetry, as well as short stories about his experiences.
Two days ago Nate sent me a copy of his novel. According to him it is the story of how he ended up where he is. I will be reading it in its entirety this week.
One of the things that has intrigued me about Nate is the way he has maintained a separation between ‘living displaced’ and not. Nate, who now has housing in the Veteran's dormitory at Room In The Inn, has also slept at missions, and on sidewalks. He understands completely what it is to live displaced. Yet he walks the streets he observes, and documents these observations.
Two days ago Nate and I met for coffee at a downtown establishment called The Diner. We sat midway back in the restaurant at a high top table and talked about life, as well as life being displaced. And as a side note, it is Nate who urged me to use the term “displaced” instead of unhoused or homeless. According to Nate, some people prefer the term, displaced, and others prefer unhoused. But no one likes the title, “homeless”.
As always he provided me with such insights to further my understanding of this segment of our society. The generosity through which he exposes his vulnerabilities so that I may, not only hear, but feel the experiences he shares with me, leaves me humbled, but also inspired. Nate is a person who is striving to rise above his situation - finding hope in any place that he can, and for me he is a shining example of what each of us needs to do… strive to find hope wherever we can.
In the coming weeks I will be re-engaged with the Unhoused Project, which now has a name: “Now You See Me”. Next week I will begin shooting the portraits, which will be a major part of this project’s final representation.
I will leave you with this request: from this point forward, when you see someone who is living unhoused, simply open your heart, look them in the eyes, and say “hello”. Let them know that you see them.
For my paid subscribers, as thanks for your financial support I have included a 11 minute video with the details and behind-the-scenes insights of the “Now You See Me” project.
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