Beirut
By Eugene Martin eugenemartin
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Category: Fine Art Photography
Tags: north philadelphia, urban portraits, eugene martin, photo essay, social justice, philadelphia, streetart, documentary, children, portraits
There is an area in North Philadelphia called Beirut by its' residents. It as an area about four blocks by four blocks around. The name was coined after a fierce gun battle between rival gangs in the late 1980's that lasted for two weeks. At the time, the war in Beirut, Lebanon was on the news every evening. The name stuck. North Philadelphia changed radically after riots that occurred in 1964. By the 1970's, many of the manufacturing jobs that had supported families for generations left the city for good. Many of the factory workers lived in rowhomes located close to their workplace.
Today the area is largely populated with women and children and young men. Many of these young men move in and out of the criminal justice system. Other residents attend school, work, and take care of their families. It is my intention to show both sides of the neighborhood. Despite the intense problems of North Philadelphia, many people choose to stay and make it their home. I took these photographs in 2007 and 2008. I spent time working as a teacher in the community and during that time got to know many of the people I photographed.
Standard Landscape 10x8 inches (25x20 cm) 80 pages
Published: July 13, 2008
