FEATURE “I GO OVER [TO THEIR HOMES] AND TATTOO, AND WE HAVE A FEW BEERS. … AT THE END OF THE DAY, I’VE GOT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD AND A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP,” SAID TATTOO ARTIST SCOTT ROGER. PORTRAYING THE HUMAN SIDE: HOW NEWS MEDIA COVERS HOMELESSNESS STORY BY ELISABETH MONAGHAN PHOTOS BY GILES CLASEN IN 2022, ELIZABETH BOWEN, Ph.D., associate professor at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work, and Nicole Capozziello, Ph.D., released “Faceless, Nameless, Invisible: A Visual Content Analysis of Photographs in U.S. Media Coverage About Homelessness,” which is a study that shows how mainstream media has the power to perpetuate this dehumanization or portray the human side of individuals living on the streets, focusing on the photographs that appear with stories about homelessness or those experiencing housing instability Citing a 2006 study by Harris & Fiske on how the stigma of homelessness affects those who are unhoused, Bowen and Capozziello write that one outgrowth of stigma is dehumanization, “when members of a group are perceived as not fully human, and instead, as objects evoking disgust, hatred or other negative emotions.” Recently, ColoRadio – which the group describes as a “monthly series for local audio creators and admirers,” produced a panel hosted by the Denver Press Club, on photography’s role in telling stories about homelessness. Giles Clasen, a longtime freelance journalist for the Denver VOICE, participated on the panel and talked about how, for the past 20 years, he has documented the lives of unhoused individuals in Denver and beyond. Clasen referred to Bowen and Capozziello’s study throughout the panel discussion, but two key points from the study were central to his remarks: first, he showed examples of how photography shapes public opinion, and second, that stories on homelessness that use images presenting people as faceless or anonymous reinforce the harmful narrative that individuals experiencing homelessness are less than human. Pointing out that photographers must be more mindful when using images to emphasize stories on marginalized communities, Clasen shared some of the guidelines he follows and emphasized why it’s important to focus on respect, consent, and dignity of those whose stories he shares. “I always ask for the person’s permission first — even during sweeps. I walk up to the fence and talk to the people who are positioned where I can see them and ask them if they are willing to tell their story,” Clasen said. “Asking for permission is critical. So many of the people I’ve talked to are honestly shocked — often just showing them the common courtesy they so seldom see because I believe they deserve the same respect I want from people. When I introduce myself, I put my hand out to shake theirs. June 2025 DENVER VOICE 5
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