Brandon Stanton, a journalist and the creator of the popular blog, Humans of New York, shares photographs and stories of varied individuals throughout New York City on Facebook. Stanton started the website in 2011- originally only photographing and sharing the images of these eye catching passersby- but has now evolved the site to include and share the stories of these individuals. Humans of New York is now followed by almost seventeen million users. The popularity of the blog has allowed Stanton to publish two books based on the blog, Humans of New York and Humans of New York: Stories, - both skyrocketing to the top of the New York Times Bestseller List.
New York City, although romanticized by many, is also known to be one of the most unfriendly and unwelcoming cities throughout the world. Everyone is in a rush, does their own thing, and minds their own business. In a city with over eight million people, there are varying and vast races, cultures, styles, and sexualities (etc.), in the (relatively speaking) geographically small location. Through Humans of New York: Stories, Brandon Stanton has allowed for readers to not only read the stories of these enticing individuals, but comprehend how open and honest New Yorkers can be and how their stories may differ from societal perceptions and preconceived notions.
Growing up in New York City, I would say the stigma of the city being “unfriendly” is true in the sense that people don’t stop to chat or randomly say hi, (although it is not necessarily because we are unfriendly). Reading Stanton’s book and following his blog has allowed for me to recognize and acknowledge the fact that everyone has a story and despite appearance, everyone struggles and is going through different things. Although this may seem like an obvious statement, I never really stopped to realize that. Since I am always “on a mission” (it seems like), when I am going out, walking around the city, or taking the train, I never really look at people objectively and consider their past or present situations- I either make quick assumptions or don’t think of them at all.
Each picture Stanton takes and each interview he conducts contributes to the bettering of society. The stories he tells has allowed for me to have much more compassion for others and forced me to recognize that how one may adorn their bodies and present themselves does not at all define their lifestyle. The pictures he uploads to Facebook and has chosen to display in his book may only be accompanied by one quote or by five full paragraphs, but each picture tells a different story; whether it be shocking, envious, funny, ironic, or disheartening- the list of can go on and on.
It’s hard to say whether Humans of New York: Stories catapulted Brandon Stanton into popular discourse or whether the book was a product of his fame. I find it hard because Stanton himself, for the longest time, never revealed who he was or shared his own picture- taking no credit for the amazing art he had produced. It was only after the blog had gained huge popularity and viewers wanted to know more about him, that he shared his picture and a little bit of his story. However, the book may have gained Stanton a wider audience and more readers but I don’t think it necessarily catapulted him into popular discourse because even before the publishing of the book, he was a well known journalist and photographer. While typing this last paragraph, I realize that Humans of New York: Stories is not a product of Stanton’s fame, but a product of the blog’s fame. See, Stanton himself is a well known guy, but only because people know Humans of New York. He did not create the blog to become famous or gain social recognition- it grew from five years of experimentation and genuine interest in humans and humanity, gradually gaining viewers and an audience; because as human beings, we are are genuinely interested in other people- especially when it’s personal. The point is, Brandon humanizes everyone he photographs- curating an honest, insightful, and genuine conversation between two people that he then shares, and in turn, humanizes New York City and allows for readers to view the world more objectively.
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