James

Seattles homeless encampment (dubbed Nickelsville after Seattles mayor) is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Sure, its a tent city. But it is also a community in every sense of the word. But, unlike most communities, Nickelsville is at the mercy of the city of Seattle. Already this year, Nickelsville has been bulldozed seven times and forced to relocate. When I was there, they had been in the same location for ten days straight (a record). At their last location, they were only there four days before being forced to move.

If you think its hard to remain cheerful when youre constantly being uprooted, youre right. Which is why I found James so interesting. When I met him, he was building a kitchen table out of shipping pallets. Although he moved here from Jackson, Mississippi looking for work, James was still unemployed when we spoke. If not for Nickelsville, he believes hed be up living under a bridge.

I am so happy to tell you that James did find work the day after this video was filmed. He found a job working as a forklift operator (and he didnt even have to move to Alaska youll have to watch video to smooth that one out!).

This is just the first in a series of interview with residents of Nickelsville. If youd like to learn more about the this tent city community, take a look at this Whrrl story. http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/image_of_the_week_welcome_to_nickels...

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Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• mark
• horvath
• homeless
• tent city
• laist
• poverty
• invisiblepeople.tv
• invisible people
• recession
• economy
• seattle
• nickelsville
• Homelessness

[nancyyt1a]

Maybe he could be a radio announcer--

[patsaxon]

No one wants to watch these videos as it tells the truth about poverty in America. Family should assist their love ones in need. Higher education is the way out of poverty.

[MultiSmartass1]

@Oldkt I read your statement and I replied with a rebuttal.

I don't talk tech so Iam not into stupid terms "fail" or "epic fail"

I go by the lessons of history-conservatives have always been against the civil rights movement and affirmative action. They have always stood for the status quo of the times which was segregation.

These damn conservatives have no right to whine and complain about being called racist when they have done nothing to support blacks and people of color in any arena.

[Oldkt]

@MultiSmartass1 Yes but if you didn't read my comment carefully, I clearly said that "not ALL" republicans are bad. And saying that they all do not want anyone other than white people to become educated, with a decent job and salary, is a fail statement.

[MultiSmartass1]

@Oldkt No, Republican are evil and inbred and racist-they were against the civil rights movement and they hate affirmative action. Thye don't want non-white people to get an education, a decent job or a good income.

I do agree you don't have to be a member of GOP to hate the homeless. Republicans and conservatives create homelessness.

[JustinHowardUsher]

@BorisK50 now 9,624

[gundrag000]

here is no god. just faggods

[briannacollins44]

@iceman23332 if my comment doesnt concern u. dont reply. that simple. and just because its a video of a homeless man, doesnt mean this whole video is about the homeless, they are talking to a man who is sharing his point of view, im replying to him, not the fact that hes homeless

[Interactivesystems]

@BellumSacrumBellum28 you grew comfortable in a secure family free of health problems and youre not even rich so shut the fuck up. ( your videos give you away) I am rich and it doesnt mean arrogance and ignorance. Learn some humility you silly little bitch, youve never suffered.

[elainebmack]

James has great personality and spirit. He also has a really great speaking voice! He should be on radio or something. He'll make it because he has skills too.