Rain or shine.
At some point in December there was an attack on Precita Park‘s spiritual overseer/resident homeless dude, Stephen Stymiest. Shortly thereafter, Stephen died of wounds sustained during the assault, alleged to be a random act of gang initiation. The whole story is just sad. Very sad. And it is staying with me. I feel like Stephen was one of the best things this fast-changing neighborhood had going for it and I miss his reliable and comforting presence. Stephen was always looking over the neighborhood but who who looking over Stephen? This got me thinking about how much more I could do as a neighbor, citizen, and fellow human.
Well there’s a lot more I could do. For now, the immediate aftermath, since I am a printmaker, I am going make a print. This one’s going to be for Stephen.
Here’s my image:
And here’s my stack of cardboard:
More soon.
Some good local coverage from the ever-vigilant Bernalwood blog:
- RIP Stephen, Familiar Resident of Precita Park
- Memories of Stephen Stymiest Wanted by His Family
- Precita Neighbors Gather to Remember Stephen
