Humanity in a Sea of Steel

This picture was taken in London during January 2008. I went with a group of students to study England's theater and its relationship to England's history and culture. The first night we were there, we saw a small, but powerful, show about tensions among Africans and Caribbean peoples living in England. It was really the only time I saw someone who looked to be "black" to me...until this man caught my eye out of our bus window a few days later.

I'm not sure why I clicked this picture. Perhaps it was out of excitement for skin color diversity, perhaps I empathized with his enjoyment of a simple newspaper. But as I revisit it, I am struck with its seemingly simple instruction: treat everyone with humanity. By this man's outfit and accessory cart, my guess is he is a street sweeper. Not lowly Bert in Mary Poppins or a neglected Chicago Sanitation Worker, but a man with a dignified purpose. Giving him a uniform and the tools to effectively and efficiently do his job sends signals me his position and work is valued and important.

Sometimes, I think that is all we need-humanity. Clearly, every job really is important. If this man did not get up in the morning and come to work, London would smell and not be the city I love. Why is it that we cannot respect men and women who work in our cities kitchens, taxi cabs, public transportation or sanitation? I don't want to be in a city without them, so why pretend anything to the contrary?

Humanity...in a sea of steel.