The exhibition ‘In Their Words,’ featuring the poignant narratives of individuals experiencing homelessness, opens this week at the Salt Lake City Library.
Photographers Stephen Speckman and Kelly Hannah of Amplify Utah have dedicated their time to capturing the stories of 17 people in Salt Lake City, aiming to confront the stereotypes associated with homelessness.
Alabama, a 49-year-old woman, shared her experience of moving from Colorado to Utah amidst the changing job landscape brought on by COVID-19, which affected many in her casino town.
Having worked in construction for most of her life, Alabama now finds it difficult due to her physical limitations and mental health challenges, making consistent employment a struggle.
Despite these hurdles, she speaks passionately about her creative endeavors inspired by a collective she joined last year.
Alabama expresses her desire to create a podcast focused on her artistic experiments, highlighting her history of upcycling discarded clothing and jewelry into unique pieces.
She emphasizes her community connections and how she advocates for others who also face the stigmas of homelessness, revealing that many individuals engage in substance use as a reactive measure to the immense pressure of living without stable housing.
“Being homeless is so much pressure on people that they end up doing drugs,” Alabama notes, displaying empathy towards her companions on the streets whom she considers family.
She challenges public perceptions, stating, “I’m not ashamed of who I am. I want people to see who I really am, that I’m not just a stereotype.”
Through her lens, the exhibition captures the essence of her story along with others in an effort to humanize those experiencing homelessness.
The second narrative highlighted comes from Benjamin, 32, who describes his friendship with Nathan, whom he met while practicing street tai chi.
Their bond, formed over nearly a decade, represents the invaluable connections that can flourish even in challenging circumstances.
Benjamin recalls a pivotal moment when he was encouraged to open up and engage with others, leading to lasting friendships that have shifted his perspective on relationships.
He reflects on his past difficulties in connecting with people, attributing his growth to the maturity he’s gained over time.
Benjamin states, “It’s hard to relate to people who don’t judge you,” underscoring the importance of genuine connections amidst adversity.
The narratives are poignantly complemented by a poem from Paul, 61, which expresses his deep sense of freedom and the metaphorical journey of life through riding a motorcycle.
In his poem, Paul captures the essence of resilience in the face of life’s challenges, stating, “With the wind in our face, I twist the throttle.”
His powerful words touch upon the trials of life, similar to the curves faced on a road, shedding light on the need to keep moving forward regardless of circumstances.
Paul notes his long-time experience of living without stable housing, weaving valuable lessons into his poetry based on a lived reality rather than theoretical ideals.
He shares sage advice given to his children about education, honesty, and drug avoidance, underscoring the importance of striving for better while navigating their own life journeys.
The exhibition, which aims to run until July 19, defies the notion that individuals facing homelessness are mere statistics or stereotypes.
Instead, it shines a light on their unique experiences and stories, encouraging empathy and understanding in a society often quick to judge.
With the opening event taking place on Wednesday, from 5-7 p.m., community members are invited to view the stories and portraits that challenge preconceived notions of homelessness.
As Alabama eloquently puts it, “If they look at me and get to know me a little bit, they’ll probably like me.”
The exhibition serves as a reminder to recognize the humanity, struggles, and strengths of those often overlooked in the community.
For more information and access to the full collection of portraits and stories, visitors can explore amplifyutah.org/in-their-words.
image source from：sltrib
