8B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, January 20, 1999
The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc.
The
Homeless:
A
Closer
Look
By Louis Brown
The homeless of Ann Arbor are a motley crew with all sorts of personalities, lifestyles, and
histories. There is a wealth of experience in all of them and by just getting to know one of them you
can learn an enormous amount of information. Joseph Samuel, one homeless man living in Ann
Arbor, does not understand how he ended up where he is today. He only knows that he wants out of
where he is. His lifelong dream is to become a professional musician and every now and then he
lands a show at places like the Blind Pig. It is far from sufficient income however. Most of his
money comes from odd jobs he picks up like working for the Salvation Army as a bell ringer. With
his free time he practices singing and plays instruments whenever he can get his hands on them.
Keeping up good hygiene and staying in shape are things he struggles to do everyday as well.
Running and practicing karate are his favorite methods of exercise. Almost all of his food comes
from free meals served by churches around town. At the end of an often long day it is back to the
shelter for sleep. This life is so different from all the other homeless people's lives in its detail.
However it is so similar in that they all face the same basic struggle for survival.
Above Left: Joe rings a bell to collect money for the Salvation Army.
a public restroom to shave and brush his teeth in the mornings.
Above Right: Joe receives dinner at a local church.
Below Left: Joe uses
Right: Joe practices his karate in a local park. Above: Joe plays the piano at a local church after din-
ner. Left: Joe works on his kicks.