They share a frustration you hear across so much of the city, one of resignation and cynicism but little anger. They know their anger will bring only more ugly stereotyping and more problems. They are also cautious of me and my camera, pointing out, “No picture in Alabama ever did a black man a favor.” They all point to the same issue—“no jobs”—and if pushed further, they say why: “Racism.” Some elaborate, including Jay: “Everyone always saying we don’t have jobs because of things we lack, but it ain’t what we lack; it’s what we have: black skin.
