I randomly came across Soft White Underbelly on YouTube. The video image was of a young woman who looked no older than 18 years old, had face tattoos and just this incredibly somber appearance. As I pressed play, this young woman began to speak about her life. She sat in front of a tie dyed, black and dark blue cloth (or paper) background, where she spoke calmly about her childhood. She was born to a drug addicted mother, and a father who was in prison. At 2 months old she was already in foster care. At 13, she dropped out of school joined a gang and was forced into sex work- prostitution. Her name is Exotic (Asriha), and now at 23 with 2 children, she is still a prostitute, has had 6 different pimps, oh and her face tattoo? That is a brand mark by a pimp so that other pimps know she’s taken, fortunately though she has had it covered up with a flower. She also speaks on being judged, constantly, “It’s survival, at 13 it has been the only thing I know”.
This video alone, sparked my interest on Soft White Underbelly, what is it? Mark Laita is the creator of this channel. A photographer, based out of Los Angeles, a human who wants solutions for the homeless crisis, for drug addicts and for humans who have experienced trauma. The solutions that have been implemented, clearly are not working. The politicians, people with money, the decision makers are not standing at ground level and speaking to the people they are trying to provide help for. Through Marks videos, he opens the door to real life human trauma and the people who live with it, daily. With each interview, and each video, we (the viewers) can understand a little bit better of what it is like to live with trauma, addiction, homelessness and mental stress. He has had thousands of interviews with people across the nation, with different ethnic, religious backgrounds and life stories. From the homeless, drug addicts to alcoholics, prostitutes, sex addicts to victims of incest, sexual abusers, children of drug addicts, people with mental health disorders, gang members, transgender humans, mafia members, members of the KKK ... etc.
The interviews are simple, no fancy lighting, or majestic backdrop. Just a judgement free, safe space, so each person can tell their story. With their consent, Mark gives them a space to speak on their trauma, and provokes thoughts of healing (whether through rehab, or therapy, if they haven’t done so already). He has partnered with their family members and looked for professional help for a lot of the individuals who are willing to receive the help. He has created a GoFund me page where 100% of that money goes directly to helping the people he interviews. With each interview, and with most of the stories, I can’t help but feel each person’s pain, and stress. Sadness. So many people walk around this planet with so much weight in their hearts, minds and souls. Everyone all wanting the same thing, love. Sadness is the feeling each individual has in common, but a type of sadness you can feel as the viewer.
There are several humans who have tugged at my heart, but one human in particular has stayed with me, Bethany. A transgender, ray of sunshine. They are experiencing homelessness, along with drug addiction, in New York City. They began using opioids after a horrible car accident, opioids that were prescribed by her doctor. After years of being addicted to the prescribed opioids, suddenly her doctor stopped prescribing it, and by that point Bethany was already deep into their addiction. She was then forced to find other, underground sources, to continue to feed her addiction. Bethany speaks on her experience of living on the streets of NYC. The verbal, physical abuse she endures, the cold temperatures that the city brings and still, she manages to speak on love. The love from strangers, that she attracts. The kindness from people who pass by, who still see her as a human, not just some-thing on the street. She doesn’t ask for material things, no, material things come and go, she simply asks to be acknowledged. Yes she fell on hard times, yes she has an addiction to a very harmful drug, but yes she is still a human in need of love. Deserving of love.
Mark acknowledges these human beings, for who they are and how they choose to live. He takes the time to say “hello” and to just allow them to tell their story. Whatever their story maybe, it is still their story to tell. These videos need to exist so that we as humans, can understand. Everyone has a story, and whether we choose to tell our stories or not, we must not judge others. I was a victim of childhood traumas, traumas, like most (if not all) of the people in the videos did not choose to experience. But I’ve sought help for it, and I have surrounded myself with the love, that I deserve. I have healed. I no longer choose to be a victim, and I wish, for every individual who is dealing with; hardship, trauma, addiction, anger and sadness to heal. Someone wrote in the comments section of one of the thousands of videos I’ve watched “these vides are like therapy sessions". The videos teach us more about humility, compassion, understanding and love. So please spread it.
I don’t know you, Mark, but I thank you. -Michelle
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I feel like I have to give a trigger warning.
These videos are heavy and can be hard for a lot of people to watch or listen to. SWU YouTube channel:
Asriah's story: https://youtu.be/ItUUmukrKM0
Bethany's story: https://youtu.be/EI0XN01SNY4
SWU GoFund me page:
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