MeganWebber

Megan Webber

ASB Reflections

March 8, 2009

Today we went to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts to see an exhibit about Homelessness. The group interviewed was given cameras and could take pictures of anything they wanted to provide viewers a view of life in their world. The majority of pictures were those of children. Walking through the exhibit made me realize how carefree children are. Even though they were homeless, they looked so happy just to be playing and enjoying a beautiful sun-filled day. The picture that had the biggest impact on me was one of a little girl. Her mother was the photographer, and it seemed that they were enjoying a nice day in the park. The little red-headed girl was sitting in the grass playing with sunflowers. As she looked at the camera, she just seemed like it was just her and her mother, no one else mattered. She was beautiful, and when I think about the things I saw at the exhibit she is the child I remember instantly.

After the exhibit, our group decided to walk around downtown Nashville to enjoy the beautiful day. Just walking around downtown I saw two homeless men carrying all their belongings around with them. One of the men asked a guy in our group if he had a cigarette lighter, the group member let him keep it. Little things like that show me people still have generosity towards one another. Even though that wasn’t a big gesture, I’m sure it meant a lot to the homeless man on the street. One thing I really noticed around downtown Nashville was the signs saying not to hand out money to the homeless people. I know it doesn’t compare to giving them food, but if they spend money to buy alcohol and that helps them get through the day, then more power to them. I can’t even imagine what they go through and can’t begin to put myself in their shoes, so if a drink or two of alcohol helps get them through the day, go for it! All-in-all I wasn’t frustrated by anything today. I stayed in the group I am most comfortable with, and tried my hardest to stay away from the rude girls from yesterday.