Every person has a story.
Photographer Brandon Stanton knows this fact all too well. While his name may not sound familiar to the average person, his work might.
Stanton’s photo project “Humans of New York” has gained national attention over the past four years after he set out to snap pictures of 10,000 natives of the state. These photos, paired with quotes from the subjects in them, have been published in his book, which has become a New York Times best seller.
This idea of unifying an area through a collection of personal narratives, however short the stories may be, has inspired others to go out and learn about their neighborhoods in the same way.
Members of the Peoria community are among these inspired individuals.
Under the name “Humans of West Main,” members of the Renaissance Park Community Association took Stanton’s idea and brought it to the West Main Street.
On nice days you may be asked by Renaissance Park Community Association member Jessica McGhee if your picture can be taken.
This new project was launched in early April. So far, there are 18 posts, but each photo’s story helps residents gain some insight on the general atmosphere surrounding the area as well as letting them get to know the places and faces of the area.
Some photos are fun and have humorous captions, while others have sentimental messages about the area.
There was one photo, though, that was really telling of why this project is so important.
The picture featured two African American men standing next to each other, smiling. Under the photo, the conversation that prompted the picture was posted. After the men asked what it was for, McGhee explained how they are trying to combat the stereotypes that surround the area. One man’s response brought the issue straight home.
“Yeah…stereotypes” he said. “Sometimes I’ll be walking down the street and people walk by and pull their purse closer and act scared…it sucks, man.”
McGhee said the project is gaining momentum even though it’s in its early stage.
“We’re getting a lot of positive feedback from this,” she said. “Which is great because you have the people that have always known and always felt that it is safe to walk along West Main, and then I have the opportunity when I take the pictures to point out the various things on West Main that may be a little farther up the street.”
As a Bradley student living in Peoria, it feels as though this idea of the surrounding neighborhoods being unsafe is ingrained in us from the day we arrive on campus. The number of safety alerts that students received in years past may have emphasized this sort of caricature, which undermines all the great things and people the city has to offer.
The humans of west main are our neighbors, friends and, for some, family. And The Humans of West Main’s initiative is surely on its way to unifying the community, and hopefully sparking an interest for more people to explore the area.
The photos can be found on the Renaissance Park Community Association’s Facebook page, as well as the projects tumblr page humansofwestmain.tumblr.com
