Skip to main content

Oscar

In the late 1980's to early 1990's, my father and I spent a tremendous amount of time together. My dad was my AAU basketball coach, mentor, and our in-house social activist. For anyone that has lived with a person of this stature, you understand that the constant element that comes along with being related to these types of people is, facial recognition. Today's photo assignment was an important reminder of the impact of my fathers' influence.

Twenty plus years ago my dad introduced me to Oscar. This was the preamble that awakened my sense of awareness toward the homeless population. See Oscar was my fathers' childhood friend who'd fallen on hard times for one reason or another. I found this out in the most bizarre way.  It was on a cold winter day and my father I were driving down Washington Street when he recognized a man walking.  I didn't think anything of it because my dad always recognized someone when we'd go places.  Only this time was different. He picked this guy up and little did I know that my life would  change forever.

My dad and Oscar exchanged an old timers handshake while introducing me in the same line of greetings.  With the heat blasting in the car it hit me, the smell.  I immediately realized that Oscar hadn't taken a shower, brushed his teeth or anything else hygiene related in about two years.  By this time I'm sitting in the backseat trying not to throw-up in my moms car, because if I did I knew she would have killed me.  In the thick of the funk, I was thinking to myself, if I could put this man, my dad in the headlock, I would. 

Fast forward to a few minutes after dropping Oscar off, dad and I begin to talk about his story.  It was in those moments that I'd learn that there were millions of Oscars in the world. It was then that I'd understand that someone would be responsible for telling the world about the other Oscars. The seed had been planted for me to always treat the most downtrodden persons with the utmost respect.  Even in moments where they appear inhumane to others.  

At the age of 12 or 13, I had no idea that one day I'd assume portions the responsibility for reminding the world that there's an Oscar no matter where you go...  

Below are a few photos from my 2014 100 Degrees Homeless black and white series.

Photo by: J.J. McQueen

Photo by: J.J. McQueen 

Photo by: J.J. McQueen 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Players That You Never Knew

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed fr...
5 comments
Read more

Fences

Several days ago I stopped to talk to one of my neighbors about a vacant private pool property in our neighborhood. We briefly shard our perspectives on the what if's of the property, and the countless possibilities for the local children if it were open. Needless to say many of the residents where we live share the same vision. Ironically days after that conversation, I had the pleasure of witnessing two middle school aged girls jumping the fence to play basketball at the property. Usually I wouldn't think much of this observation but being a father with two daughters, I couldn't help but notice. Especially when they're no trespassing signs posted everywhere.  However, me thinking like a rational adult, I had to quickly remind myself to think like a kid and note that the fence obstacle wasn't going to be the girls end all for getting some shots up.  On the heels of the conversation with my neighbor it was confirmation that we're all on one accord. So, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Old Time Way

This fall has been wonderful!  I've captured milestone events this season.  One of my favorites was the Refuge Way of the Cross 50 th Anniversary Celebration .  People that know me know I grew up in a church family so I'm sure they're wondering what made this celebration more special than others.  Here's your answer.  This church is more than just a client for me. They are like family.  I live nearly 500 miles from my parents door step and there are some days when I'd love to be there. Fortunately, when I have those days all I have to do is drive 35 minutes into the city and I'm quickly reminded of my southern roots.  Refuge Way of the Cross church is made up of North Carolina natives and for five decades they've been to the community what the church was designed to be.  A Refuge.  The Refuge family still " p uts in down in the kitchen" on Sunday's after church, they still have their weekly prayer service and revival meetings.  Just like the...
Post a Comment
Read more