This picture is #02 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com
This is Sullivan. We met in Santa Monica, on the pier. Sullivan was an animated character, and very friendly! It was fun talking with him, and he had an interesting story to tell.
First, he describes himself as half Islandic, half Black. He just recently got released, after spending thirteen years in California State Prison, for home invasion and robbery. But here is an example where the system worked. He now runs his own business, in Real Estate and Insurance.
Sullivan tells of his military background. As he put it, he spent five years in the Army, then went into the Navy, and then into Prison. I jokingly asked which was worse, and he laughingly said, without hesitation, "Prison."
Despite his loss of freedom for the past thirteen years, he seems to have a very positive outlook now. I am glad to have met someone who was able to turn their life around in such a positive manner, and I wish him the best of luck in his future!
