"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded"- Maya Angelou

                             

This time last year I was assigned to a school project and while trying to do some research and produce a great piece, I found that the end result was a greater lesson and jolt of awakening energy. 

I find myself today revisiting those thoughts, emotions and environment to remember not to lose focus on why I chose this field. 

Do we as professional journalists, or citizens, or even those who dream that one day we too could be the Barbara Walters or the Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein gain more personally by doing these stories for our public or does the public benefit from the exposure to issues that matter?

...we were two wild eyed young females walking along the streets of downtown Los Angeles on a Sunday simply "looking for our stories"...

Maybe it was naivete, or passion..I'd certainly like to think it was a little bit of both. 

Skid Row has a stigma attached to it doesn't it? While many parents would warn their children to not go into the "bad" parts of town, or ignore the homeless people asking for money, or the irrational homeless people who scream obscenities because they are so unhappy, we often forget that they too were "fully functioning adults" that probably worked in the next cubicle next to us at one time or another. And we forget that they too have stories, heartbreaking and unbearable sometimes, but stories nonetheless that doesn't make them any less human than we are. These individuals probably are more "human" than you and I could ever be. They have felt emotions at their highest peak and success, and have also felt the emotions of gut-wrenching pain at their lowest moments in their lives. 

Not everyone is born into homelessness nor do they deserve it. Most deserve a second chance. 

There are two people we met on our journey of many that really touched me. And I often think about where they might be today. 

Tawn:

We almost didn't even see her crouched down low sitting beside her cart full of her belongings wearing a plain dark grey sweater and sweatpants with a brightly colored yellow beanie in the hot day of LA. She was probably the first friendliest face we had come across while walking up and down skid row that day. We introduced ourselves as journalism students looking to talk to people and their story of how they arrived here. She was more than willing to share her hurt and fears of being in a long relationship with a man who abused her both physically and mentally for years. She lost her children to social services and has not seen them. She continues her search to find her children in hopes of reuniting with them someday. 

Not only was her story familiar to the both of us who had spoken to many that day about losing their children because of domestic violence, her spirit was high and she was hopeful. She, like any woman who like to look her best starts to light up when she points out her necklaces she had found. Her amazing outlook on life, with such horrific moments was truly earth shattering to hear. Here she was talking about how that even in the depths of homelessness and not knowing where she would get her next meal, or if she would get in line for the shelter soon enough to be able to make it in the allowed capacity, her most prized possessions....her necklaces... Anyone can see that these items were plain simple and probably belonged to a young girl at some point..but for Tawn, it was her precious "pearls". And they mattered to her. We quickly realized that when a human being is stripped away from everything they have or own, you soon treasure the little you do have more than anything in the world. She didn't know if she would have enough change to go to the laundry mat to wash her clothes that evening, but for all our intent and purposes while taping Tawn with our handheld cameras, she wanted to makes sure she sparkled and looked her best for our audience. Because for one day, for just a  few hours, she knew her story mattered to us and our class of 30. Could anyone really fault her for wanting to look her best?

Terry Wilkinson is a special man...

we ran into him at Venice beach. He seemed like a lonesome man who sat next to the rowdy kids playing their music obnoxiously loud and who were throwing unfinished bottles of soda towards him. He sat mostly to himself and did everything humanly possible to revert back inside his invisible shell. After walking by 4 or 5 times and unsuccessfully finding anyone willing to talk to us on camera, we decided to walk up and say hello. Shy, timid, scared, and the years of worry and torture and unhappiness was apparent in his weathered and aged face. He was a man, successful at one time, and one of the first architects who helped build six flags magic mountain. He had a horrific childhood growing up being sexually abused by his father and quickly became an outcast from the rest of his family. Terry was a witness to a family murder, and was left jobless once the project was done and losing his money to a woman to robbed him of his dignity and his heart. While speaking with this man who has nothing to show for his life besides old photos of once a very handsome and charming man, Terry now sits in Venice beach hoping he will not get ticketed or harassed to leave. And when he does, he is prepared to start walking in an unknown direction where he can find temporary residence on the streets of some other town. Of the many things we learned about him that day, one thing stuck out to me and moved me to tears and broke my heart endlessly. He said he doesn't wish that he can be sober...he doesn't wish that he had a beautiful mansion he can call home, he doesn't wish that he can find his family and reunite with them all again and be happy. his one simple wish....
.....was that he be treated as a human being...he stays to himself most of the time, but is treated worse than a stray dog..his only wish is that people would acknowledge that he too is man and at one time had a great career...a man who's had some setbacks and who found himself homeless..nevertheless, a man. 

everyone has a story...every homeless person has a story they'd like to share if you gave them the time. Both Terry and Tawn have deeply impacted my life and have made impressionable moments in my heart...It's not that hard to find it in yourself to care for someone, even for a stranger. You'd be surprised how long their shared stories last with you.

"A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed" -Ansel Adams

Photographer: Leslie Alsheimer: courtesy of http://socialdocumentary.net/exhibit/Leslie_Alsheimer/1499

Socialdocumentary.net

Documentary photography, videos, collages, music even are all very fascinating revenues to reach out the the public about social issues and injustice.

Socialdocumentary.net has a simple message: The ability to utilize photography to promote awareness. 

A simple concept, a powerful message and a lasting impression. 

What I love most about this site is that it not only highlights some of the most crucial global issues that we, who are fortunate in the states choose not to believe or acknowledge, but also some of the problematic and recurring themes that are as critical here right in our own backyards. It definitely puts things in perspective. 

They promote a basic idea that photographers worldwide come together to represent: A Universal Declaration of Human Rights..

Each photographer or rather sets of photographs can be categorized from homelessness, exploitation or the basic human condition. They all strive to communicate "their strong desires with the insights through their photographs."

It is a site worth visiting and revisiting. And if there is ever any doubt to what you can do for people, visit this site again. There are numerous issues and avenues to take to contribute.I ask that you merely go and take a look. You could be changed...for the better. I suppose that's what anyone would really hope for. However, if it makes a viewer re-evaluate an issue, or become more aware of an issue that may have seemed small or insignificant, I hope this allows many to stop and perhaps educate themselves for a cause that's most worthwhile for you. 

...be touched and hopefully inspired too....

the face of TOMS

Blake Mycoskie
http://blakemycoskie.blogspot.com/

      Recently, I came across this picture. And before I knew that this man was behind the face of the internationally known company TOMS, I had to do some research. My inner journalist I suppose peaked my curiosity. In its purest form, this picture simply displays a man helping put on a shoe for this little boy. However, this one picture nearly says everything needed in what this man not only believes, and enjoys doing, anyone would question what his story is behind this picture....

His name is Blake Mycoskie. And while some may know him as the founder of TOMS, not many know his personal story and how the company started. It really is pretty amazing and definitely worth retelling for those who aren't familiar. And for those who may ask "where have you been hiding all these years to NOT know his story..." I guess I would say, some details seemed minute at the time.

One of my favorite stories although short, definitely sweet and unforgettable! 

On a trip to Argentina with his friends, Blake noticed just how many children were barefoot. Not only did they grow up with nothing, but to not have the simplicities of shoes deeply affected Blake. The following year, the one for one movement that TOMS is internationally known for, came about. 

He returned with 10,000 pair of shoes to distribute among the children of the village that he once traveled to dedicating that for each pair of shoes that were sold, he would in turn set aside a pair to take and give to a child in need. That motto and motivation and inspiration has driven TOMS to be the successful company it is today. With strong morals and attributes to bring awareness for the youth to take action, to give and to give more in every aspect of their lives, TOMS never forgets the intentional message it seeks to touch to the millions of us who own a pair. If at the very least, all of those who own a pair TOMS shoes or eyewear, has helped directly in providing for children in need whether it be through medical eye examinations, or the privileged luxuries of having shoes on dirty roads to avoid illnesses that can be caused. 

So I ask those who think about purchasing shoes at TOMS next time, to take a moment to think about the thousands that you would be helping whether intentional or indirectly, you are putting a face to every purchase you make.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes in this world and seemingly so, coincidently also Blake's, Be the change you wish to see in the world"- Ghandi

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" -Maya Angelou

Chick-fil-A Misappreciation Day? <<<<article

Debate over religion, chosen lifestyles, politics, and wealth are things that most people try to avoid. However when does it become too unbearable to not say anything about an issue that has unnecessarily become a rising issue for the last however many centuries? We faced it as a nation in fighting for women's rights for equality and voting. How is this any different? 

Sexism, Ageism, Genderism and Racism....

will it ever really stop? can it be stopped? This is an ongoing conversation I continually revisit with so many people. More relevant now than ever. 

Where did the simple acts of humanism and human interaction disappear to? It is such a deeply saddened pandemic that these issues that become larger everyday. 

I dont know how often I hear people speak and debate about how great these changing times are paving way for generations to come. I worry that we aren't doing enough. 

I had this conversation today about how appalling it is to see young adults who are still very narrow-minded about these topics. Is it the lack of education that creates intolerability to other people who are seemingly and rightfully different from us? Is the a cultural deficit that our society seems to lack to "growing" adults who can accept differences among communities? And I suppose no one will ever know. It's a question that will continue to draw heated debates, a controversy that may lead to an uproar of constitutional ratifications, organizations or leading of policies that should be placed. 

I am hopeful that one day soon, we are able to take those differences and learn from our historical past, our wars, our genocides, and our sufferings. It starts small. Not only can you educate our youth, you there is an constant need for re-education in simple acts of human behavior....kindness...humility...acceptance and love. 

It's true, people don't always remember the nuances of what's said and not said, who wore it best and looked the best. people remember the lasting impression and impact of how you made them feel. And that can always be taught...

Activism

Darcy Padilla: The Julie Project

 

Websters defines activism as "taking of direct action to achieve a political or social end"

But what really is activism? and can anyone become an activist? is it a question of what you do or who does it? 

People often associate activists with the most famous ones, myself included. 

Activism almost always links to the civil rights movement, women's rights like the works that both Martin Luther King Jr.,  Nelson Mandela, and Rosa Parks have contributed to. Less is known for those activists who stand up for environmental issues like Ansel Adams and his landscape photography.

As a student who studies journalism and one that has grown to become passionate and curious about the world of activism and its strong role in society, I often think about two conflicting ideas. Can journalists really be objective? Sure, there are plenty of people and acclaimed journalists who would argue otherwise. They would say that our job is to inform the public, an audience, and a targeted audience the story behind both sides. 

I, however find it extremely difficult to neatly differentiate between the two. How do you "objectively" tell the story of two sides of an issue like child pornography, children soldiers, domestic violence, abuse, inhumane animal abuses and the mistreatment of our elderly, objectively? How can anyone unbiasedly present the issues without tainting it one way or another with his or her own personal beliefs and values. intentional or not. 

This seemed to be the ongoing theme of a class in activism through photography that I took. After every lecture, every study, and every attribute in activism that we could possibly analyze and dissect, it always came back to the question of "can you be completely objective in participating in activism projects both independently and collectively"? 

To answer that question, one would have to first determine "is this issue important to me? and if so, wouldn't it only be natural that the participant would be a biased opinion? If it wasn't important, what's the point?

photographer Stephen Shames says, "I've always wanted my photographs to be a voice for the oppressed, a voice for the people who didn't have a voice." 

Uses of photography is an amazing way to contribute to activism. It's certainly difficult in that photographs are always open for interpretation. That's the beauty of art. Photographs are not always accompanied by captions. What one viewer takes will significantly differ from the next viewer. Who's to determine what is right and what is the wrong depiction? 

I suppose that's the wonder of it all isn't it? and the gracefulness that writing can be both poetic, empowering and objects of what the "artist" seeks is true. 

I envy people who have been on the front lines of battle, hunger, deaths, and  with children who face death every minute of their lives. Envy because they bring those stories home and have their artwork to show for it. Those stories touch individuals like myself and leaves a lasting impression in my life. I strive to be able to bring someone else's story to light with my words, passion, compassion and ability to continue to share what I feel is important for the world to know...