by Amanda Froelich at trueactivist.com
“If we all saw [the homeless] as humans – and not just ‘beggars’ – then maybe we’d realize it’s quite a messed up society we’ve built for ourselves…” says the artist.
Montreal is a big city. And like in any metropolis, there is a lot going on. From the construction of new buildings to rushed mid-day lunch meetings, it’s easy to get caught up in the busy happenings of the city.
Unfortunately, this is becoming far too common, according to photographer Mikaël Theimer, and is causing residents to overlook – or avoid – issues that demand acknowledgment and remedy, such as homelessness.
In a photo series he shared with Bored Panda, Theimer drew attention to the fact that “there’s a vast majority of people who do everything they can to NOT see the homeless.”
He states:
“You know exactly what I mean: you’ve spotted one from a few meters away, so you speed up your pace, take your phone out or look the other way, making sure to avoid this uncomfortable moment when you just know they’re going to ask for some spare change and you’ll say no…”
Theimer photographs the homeless and documents their stories, so knows first-hand how many individuals on the street need help.
He says:
“Understand that I am not judging you in any way; hell, I used to be you. But one day I realized the homeless are humans, just like me. And if we all saw them as humans – and not just “beggars” – then maybe we’d realize it’s quite a messed up society we’ve built for ourselves… I mean, how did we come to think it was okay to have so many of us living in such miserable conditions?”
It’s this passion that spurred Theimer to document the following:
Dreams of a better life
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
La vie est belle
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
“I’m teaching you how to give.”
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Don’t mind me
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Grocery shopping
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Lap dance
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
The flip side of the coin
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Place-des-arts
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
A nap in the park
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
If the social ladder is broken, take the stairs
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Chilling with my friends
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Parking spots have cheaper rent
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
I wish I had a couch
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
The invisible woman
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
But not traveling light
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Stairs make great pillows
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Home is where my hammock hangs
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
I missed my train
Raindrops keep falling on my head
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Ground zero
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Sending out an S.O.S.
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Can we share that bagel?
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Says Theimer:
“Take a good look at this sad aspect of our society, and stop looking away because it’s not gonna go away on its own. And next time you see one, whether you wanna give them some change or not, don’t look the other way. Because for having chatted with quite a few homeless people, I can tell you that they’ll appreciate your smile much more than your 1$ coin.”
Daddy, why is the man sleeping here?
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Social asymmetry
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Don’t get too close, I bite
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Sleepy head
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Stuck in the middle
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Just like home
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Thank you for viewing these
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Now stop looking away when you see me
Credit: Mikaël Theimer
Follow this activist’s work by visiting their website and Facebook page.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this series!
This article (While You Ignored These 30 Uncomfortable Situations, This Photographer Was Prompted To Capture Them) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and TrueActivist.com
Wonderful photographs. Makes my heart so sad to see human beings reduced to this. Everyone has a story thank you for telling the stories of the homeless in photos.
I make your words mine.