|
From the Editor Behind the Bucket grew out of the belief that self-expression is necessary and healing. For a long time, homeless people were voiceless people. One of the first to really talk and listen to them was George McDonald, founder of The Doe Fund, who spent nearly two years, from 1984 to 1986, feeding homeless men and women in Grand Central Terminal and getting to know them intimately. Perhaps the most important thing he learned was that, despite their dramatic problems, homeless people are no different from other human beings, in terms of their essential needs, yearnings, fears, demons and dreams. Those emotions and others are expressed in the writings and artwork that follow. It was our hope in putting this magazine together to bring forth from behind their buckets the men and women who have become a familiar and welcome sight throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Jersey City. We asked them to share their stories and thoughts, to write for the reason many writers write: to feel -- and help others feel -- less alone. Thanks to all who have contributed to this first issue. You have deepened my understanding of the trials you have endured -- and the triumphs you have achieved. -- Carol Tannenhauser
|
|
|
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Kyle Pritchett and Shelley Pritchett for generously donating their time and talents to design Behind the Bucket. We would also like to thank Roderick Taylor for his artwork and design input, and Tariq Ibn B. Mujahid ("TM") for his line drawing, which appears in "Sweep the Street." Thanks also to Emily Tannenhauser for the photographs appearing in "A Day in the Life" and "My Bucket," and to M.A.B. for those appearing in "Behind the Bucket" and "Bucketman." And special thanks to all the contributors to this premier issue and, of course, to The Doe Fund, Inc., for providing the financial support for its production.
