Latrelle
Portrait with David Johnson
Description: A teen in a business casual outfit stands hand in hand with community members. They are in the middle of a residential street. The community members wear clothing where one half is clean and the other half is soiled.
Portrait with Zachary Maxwell Stertz
“What I would like to see different is when the people outside standing - standing, begging for change. I know you shouldn’t give it to them, but you also shouldn’t just look at them, and be like, “Oh, he a bum. He shouldn’t get nothing.” I know some people take it and drink. That’s why every time I see somebody, I don’t give them the money. I go in there - go in there, give them a soda or juice or something every time I see them. I don’t give them the money - well, I will give them some money, like some change. But I also - especially, if it’s hot outside - I make sure I’ll go get them something to drink. Ask them what they like to drink. Give them a soda or something, you know? Or an Arizona. That’s just me, but everybody not like that.
I don’t know. I just - I just hate seeing my people, just, looking like that. Like, when I get older, I just want to change that in the world. And people just not helping. Just looking at them like they always - it’s some people like that, but everybody don’t just take that money and drink. Some people really need it. And then when it’s kids out there, of course, I’m giving some every time. I don’t want no - especially no black kids on the street begging for change, and nobody ain’t helping them. I’m going to go give them something, make sure he’s straight - especially if I got it.
It makes me feel like… I don’t really feel nothing. It’s just, like, I think I’m doing what I was - what I came here to do. I think I came to help.
I think Jesus sent me here to do that.”
Milwaukee, 2018