Sad Man
Chelsea, Manhattan, NYC 2008
Third Place Winner
Sad Man Challenge
“Dear Mr. President”
by Pink
Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let’s pretend we’re just two people and
You’re not better than me.
I’d like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?
Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We’re not dumb and we’re not blind.
They’re all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.
What kind of father would take his own daughter’s rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You’ve come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?
Let me tell you ‘bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you ‘bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you ‘bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you ‘bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don’t know nothing ‘bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh
How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You’d never take a walk with me.
Would you?
Sad Man belongs to the following groups:
"♥ show me a sign ♥", African-American Experience, ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL, Artists with Disabilities, Candid Photography ( 1/24 ) , Current Issues, Everyday Life, New York City, Shades of Grey, Shameless Self-Promotion, Something To Say, Street Photography and Photojournalism and United States Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
circusgallery
brillant composed photographic work
Judith Oppenhe... replied
thank you, that’s very kind
wendyL
what a REAL shot! faboulous work Judith!
Judith Oppenhe... replied
thank you!
Robin Robb
This is a sad photo of a sad man. Thank you for helping to raise awareness. Great capture.
Judith Oppenhe... replied
thank you Robin
amarica
The plight of one desperate soul deminishes each and every one of us by the degree of his sorrow. Well done Judith.
Winslow357
very powerful image
Noelene Davies
So Sad how the other half live. My heart goes out to people like this. Wonderful capture.
Hena Tayeb
great capture. reminds us of how lucky we are.
Nanmarie
Well done and yes very sad.
Jo Fedora
awesome capture..
Judith Oppenhe... replied
thank you Jo, coming from you, means a lot
mrscarlotta
Truely awsome shot, really tell the viewer a story, xxxx
Judith Oppenhe... replied
thank you carlotta
shawhouse
Perfect title. That’s a chilling image, Judith. Everyman, broken. I want to send you an inappropriate email about this, but damn good work..
Judith Oppenhe... replied
i don’t know what could be inappropriate from you, but thank you for the kind words. coming from you, high praise indeed.
roybarry
such a poigniant image, superbly captured Judith.
Judith Oppenhe... replied
thank you Roy!
Charl045
My God how do we sleep in good conscience??!!!!!!!!! Excellent street work Jud! OH MY I can’t imagine what “inappropriate” email from Shaw could be.. lol but yes I agree…damn good stuff here gf!
Judith Oppenhe... replied
he just wondered what good ol bush would think, which prompted me to get the lyrics to one of my favorite songs.
shawhouse
wow, I did use the words “Bush” and “think” in the same sentence, didn’t I? lol….. I like those lyrics, but I think he sleeps like a babe in arms…
AndeanGnat
Great shot, but very sad all the same. Makes me feel almost guilty to enjoy the photograph because behind it is a guy who doesn´t know where his next meal is coming from – exactly the kind of response I think you intended Judith.
Andy
AndeanGnat
coffeebean
Wow that’s powerful how you have presented this moving and so sad image, perfect title and the lyrics are excellent. I’m beginning to think that the way the world is going, sadly we will see more sights like this. Excellent work Judith.
Steve Chapple
Such a evocative image of real life!
jaffa
picture and writing fantastic, excellent work. Again your portraiture is amazing.
babilon
Nice Great .Gorgeous colours and light wonderful shot..BRAVO ..but im sorry for sad man
Adrian Kent
Powerful photo, the frightening thing is we are all one small step from his plight!
Judith Oppenhe... replied
yes indeed
chijude
Not only sad but crushed! What strength he must have to even face another day.
The image and the message have impact …. though we may doubt that it can make a change to this man’s life.
Judith Oppenhe... replied
if the republicans get out of the way, maybe President Obama can help make a difference