Big Mike is Dead: We Are The Problem
Friday, November 23rd, 2007Big Mike, the wheelchair-bound, homeless man I have been intensively photographing for years, is dead. I was recently informed of his death by his hard, drinking street people colleagues. I knew he was in serious trouble for more than a year. His health was declining, and his strong, fierce will to live was slowly, inexorably, fading. Mike was big, black and impressively dignified. Unlike most of his homeless, hustling buddies, he never begged, and he always exuded immense pride and self-confidence. Despite his broken body, twisted legs and awful living conditions, he handled himself like a Prince.