Vendor Interview: Jeff
Photos: Emil Lombardo
How did you start selling DOPE magazine?
I started selling the magazine probably a couple of years ago. You know, the staff at People’s Republic of Stoke Croft (PRSC) is good, they are loving and caring, and help people on the street, they give us clothes, tents, sleeping bags and everything. And they gave me and others the magazine to sell. It’s helping a lot, you know? If I sell the magazine I can eat.
Is it hard to sell an anarchist newspaper?
Some people love it, some people don’t love it. I’m not a reader, but you know what? I get the magazines and I sell them. People love them. I sell The Big Issue too. People would buy anything from me, because they love me, you know? I sell the paper but it's not all about the money. Some people sell the magazine just to get the money, and once they get it they are gone. They don’t want to know anybody. Do you see me? I talk to my people, my customers, every day. And I deal with everybody, white, black, brown, young, old. Even if you can’t please all of them. Some people want DOPE magazine, some people want The Big Issue and some people want to see Jeffrey because Jeffrey is loving and caring. I’m unique, you know?
What do you think your clients love the most about you?
I love to move and dance around, and sing, you know? People love to see me active and in good spirit. When you are spreading love, and talking to everybody, people support you. If you want money alone, and you don’t want to know people, people won’t buy from you. You have to love people because it’s not all about the money. Here people worry if they don’t see me on the streets. We look after each other; sometimes people cry at me and I cry at people, and it's great. When people call for you you know they love and care for you. And I love Stokes Croft and the street. I love to be up there and see people and witness adventurous things. It’s amazing.
What makes you unique?
The Lord sent me here for a purpose and a reason, to get here and talk to every nation. No people can want to be like me. If you see me out in the streets, I’ma do like me, you know? Being like me is only for me. With this, I mean that you need to be genuine, that if you do something, you have to mean it. It has to come from the bottom of your heart. Love is the key to everything. And when you got love you can conquer the world. Love is the answer and love is the key. I judge no one, don’t look upon no one, no matter what they do.