Chuck Sullivan: A Colleague, Friend, and Hustler in the City of Detroit
- Sailor Mayes
- Apr 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Detroit, MI April 18th, 2023
By: Sailor Mayes
I began working at Xochimilco, which is a restaurant in Detroit, MI around a year ago. Working here has brought me joy, sadness, anger, and about any other type of emotion possible. Since the day I walked into the restaurant prior to working there, I have seen Chuck. Chuck opens up the doors for people going in and out of the restaurant. He also plays the guitar for those waiting to dine in.
Chuck has been a fundamental reason as to why I have stuck around Detroit for short-term employment before I graduate. Chuck is unlike anyone I have met. He is fierce, unapologetic, speaks his mind, and lives life the way he wants to. He does not care what one has to say about him, he is more concerned that the cats he spends time with are healthy, and eat a good meal after a day away at Xochimilco.
It is rare to have peaceful chaos in one spot, but Xochimilco is definitely one of those odd places in the world that has an equal balance of both. I have worked in other cities in Michigan, and by far Xochimilco has been the most fun I have had at work. The equilibrium of chaos and peace, anger and happiness is very well balanced at this restaurant. Each day I am placed into an unknown universe once I step into the door after Chuck opens it for me. Chuck is the same everyday, while the inside of Xochimilco is not. Chuck is a reminder to me that everything is going to be okay.
For my final project in photojournalism, we were tasked with finding an individual or group to write a story about. Chuck immediately popped into my mind. I however did not want to be the white girl who took a video of the homeless and plastered it online to get attention for myself. So I will come out and say it, I am not doing this for fame, money, or attention. I am doing this to share Chuck's story. To allow those to understand him, cherish him, and love him. Chuck has been an amazing person to hang out with while I have worked at Xochimilco.
Within this video, Chuck speaks very briefly about his life. He makes some pretty profound statements about his life and why he does what he does. I am glad Chuck allowed me to take videos of him, he was happy when I decided to choose him for this assignment. In order to fully take in Chuck Sullivan, I ask that you watch the video.
I want to again state, thank you Chuck for allowing me to video your brief life story. You mean a lot to me.
5Ws:
Chuck Sullivan: Detroit Hustle in MexicanTown
Where: Detroit When: April 2023
Who: Chuck Sullivan
What: Chuck Sullivan's summarized life
Why make this video? To bring attention to those, whose lives are often stereotyped and ignored.
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