Skid Row

In 2009 on Mother’s Day my family went to the movie theater and saw The Soloist. The movie was released to theaters just a couple of months after I had been accepted to CalArts, and since the film takes place in Los Angeles (a city I hadn’t been to until CalArts) I was very interested in getting at least some view of the city before going off to school here. I remember leaving the theater with the feeling of having a hollow body. And after reading the article about Skid Row, and reflecting on that Mother’s Day I discovered that that hollow feeling was rooted in a deep sadness for the homeless of Skid Row (a predominant setting for the movie), and a feeling of unworthiness for all that I have. The article opened my eyes to the littlest joys that come about each year with tradition. To quote the article: “Father’s Day used to be quiet on Skid Row. Do you know what that does to a man’s self esteem? We had to start our own Fathers Day (celebrations).” To think that the people living in Skid Row didn’t even have tradition, much less homes, shelters, food, etc. brought me back to that Mother’s Day.