Elijah Alfred “NatureBoy” Alexander, Jr.
Posted by invisiblepeople | Filed under face and voice of homelessness, road trip
There are many times that I’ll meet a person on the street who says that they prefer the streets, insisting they are there by choice. Usually, though, I can see the look in their eye; I can tell they don’t mean it. I believe it’s a defense mechanism to rationalize the trauma one goes through when they don’t have a home.
But that’s not to say this is true for everyone. There are those rare – and yes, I believe they’re rare – occasions when I’ll meet someone who is on the streets by choice. Elijah Alfred Alexander, Jr. falls into this latter category. He goes by “Nature Boy” and says he is not homeless, just ‘houseless.’
Elijah says he was a Baptist preacher in the 1970s. He said that since Jesus was a wandering messenger, he decided to become a wanderer. And wander he does. I met him across the street from the White House in Washington, D.C.. I still laugh because despite his skimpy attire, he still carries business cards with his personal website.
Mental illness? Or just following his heart? Either way, I like to think that Elijah is truly a unique guy who has decided to follow a different path.
January 24th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
[...] love interesting people. In Washington, DC I observed ‘Nature Boy’ walking down the street. He was such a contrast to the neighborhood I had to find him. As luck [...]
January 25th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
[...] love interesting people. In Washington, DC I observed ‘Nature Boy’ walking down the street. He was such a contrast to the neighborhood I had to find him. As luck [...]
February 5th, 2010 at 9:16 am
[...] Bird Man of the Alvarado Street Exit I love interesting people. In Washington DC, I observed “Nature Boy” walking down the street. He was such a contrast to the neighborhood, I had to meet him. As luck [...]
April 9th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Elijah is my friend, forever. I welcome him at the AOC (Assembly of the Coventant, Group) often to exchange views of the Words and Ways of God.
May 1st, 2010 at 10:15 pm
i was in washington d.c in march 2010. my daughter and i were on way 2 c the white house and i seen him sitting on the bench,and i couldnt help but look on the way back i asked him if i could take his pic and he agreed.i told him he looked awesome,kinda reminded me of a shaman of some sort..
May 15th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
I met Elijah today to. He told me all people are equal & don't refer to him as sir….
June 10th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I JUST GOT BACK FROM D.C. AND I MET HIM!
August 7th, 2010 at 12:05 am
I met with my family Elijah on Monday July 26th 2010 by the White House and found that he is an extraordinary and good man trying to live to the best with nature and I want to tell him to keep up his work with his simple and natural life………A GOOD MAN………Thank you Sir……..No BROTHER………….