Chess in Washington Square Park

Simon has been playing chess in Washington Square Park for years.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• chess
• washington
• square
• park
• nyc
• homeless
• new
• york

[RedUnbannable]

@canefan17

it is almost impossible for people who are homeless to get a job. they look and smell like shit. often have mental health or drug problems, and if you have a criminal record you are pretty much fucked. he could probablymake more money playing chess for 2$ a game then working a minimum wage job, and its still not enough to get a house,car, bus pass etc, especially if you have health problems. so think twice about calling poor people lazy while you are sitting in your nice house

[wrich1162]

I'd like to play this guy

[warblerab]

@infraredna btw, it might interest you to know that I give what I can to charities and I help transport food from my church to our local food bank that gives the food to those that need it. I am not totally heartless.

[warblerab]

@infraredna Its seems to me that he ruined his own life. I also seems to me that he has boycotted life, and not the other way around. His life could have been better if he really applied himself. For his life right now, there are all sorts of places he turn to for help. Its not like no homeless person has been able to get back on his feet again. He just doesn't try. and again, I find it difficult to believe that smoking a joint is solely responsible for him being homeless.

[infraredna]

@DryhedUryne yeah because at 42 the world is his oyster when you go to community college

[infraredna]

@warblerab Yes your right lets ruin a persons life and boycott them economically because they wanted to smoke a joint. perfect logic.

[zacharycat]

Only job out there for black man is sweeping and mopping, unless you went to Harvard.

[warblerab]

@RedUnbannable is that all that Simon did? I find it difficult to believe that that, and that alone is resonsible for him being homeless. I think one could still find a job, with smoking joint being on one's record. But lets say it doesn't. Simon is a smart guy(you have to be to play chess that well). I think he is smart enough to know the consequences of getting caught doing illegal drugs. Yet, he did it anyway. Perhaps maybe it wasn't a good idea to smoke that joint?

[RedUnbannable]

@warblerab yea, because you know, smoking a joint should limit your job prospects for the next 75 years. unless you become president of course

[warblerab]

@lolatmine New York is not the only city with homeless people in it, nor is the USA the only country with homeless people. 

[warblerab]

@RedUnbannable "and if you have a criminal record you are pretty much fucked" if you can't do the time, don't commit the crime.

[eyeAMtwinkEE]

Headphones, cigars, and Snapple? This motherfucker is not homeless.