Temple Photojournalism
PEOPLE OF THE STREETS/
USER / CRAIG
Text and Photos by Joe Schaefer
Original Kenso
“This is my cousin, he’s doing a documentary on me.” A phrase that was commonly said about me as I followed Craig, a 42-year-old Kensington native, up and down the streets of Kensington, Philadelphia.
“I’m an original Kenzo. Very few people can say that. I take pride in that, and people respect me for that.” Craig said as we walked down Kensington Avenue on a humid Friday afternoon. Craig’s reputation held true to his words as everybody we walked past greeted him with a head nod.
“I’ve been shooting up since the 90s, selling pills to make cash, making cash to buy dope.” Craig said to me as he prepped his needle and heroin. He pierced the needle into one of the hundred protruding veins in his arm. Within the next 60 seconds he turned from a fluid speaking individual to one of the countless people I see on Kensington Avenue, leaning from left to right yet somehow maintaining his balance. I had to head back home for the night and left him on the corner of Kensington Avenue and Ruth Street.
The next day I saw him on the corner of Kensington and Somerset and he greeted me with a hug.
“Come on lets go pick up some dope.” Craig said as we walked towards McPherson Square, commonly known as “Needle Park”. I told them that because I was documenting him. It doesn’t mean he had to always shoot up in front of me, and he quickly responded by explaining how “…there isn’t shit else to do around here.”
As we came closer to the trap house a young boy, 12 or so, rode past us on a bike saying, “Samples, Samples, Samples. Indiana and C Street.” Before I could flick my shutter, I found myself running down Indiana Avenue with 3 other users including Craig. As we approached the corner and a clear yet unmarked cop car sat across the
street. They watched the junkies surround the young kids to pick up their samples. Craig picked up his share and we went to Needle Park so he could test the latest batch.
Hours passed and I had to leave for the night. Craig asked to borrow my phone to call his brother if he would be able to visit him for Easter. The conversation elevated to an argument, which led to Craig hanging up on him. I asked him if his brother was going to come down to visit.
“It’s Easter, of course he’s going to come.”
Tears rolled down his cheeks and he slumped in the seat of my car as he leaned through my window.
“Just do me a favor and text my brother, tell him that I hope I get to see him for Easter.” I drove back to my apartment and relayed the message to his brother on Saturday Night. For the next three days I went back to Kensington in search of Craig but to my disappointment was unable to cross paths with him. My experience with Craig is far from over and hopefully I’ll be able to cross paths with him soon. I want to be able to document his journey and all the ups and downs that come with it.
