Pardon the broad, sweeping generalizations…but here’s the thing… If all the non-white people are saying, “um…there are some issues we need to discuss regarding race.” And all the white people are saying, “Everything is fine…just get over it and let’s move on.” Then…we might have some work to do regarding race. If you don’t see it, consider who you are talking to about the issue. … Continue reading This will be short
Tuesday night was a great celebration of a long effort to produce our new book, A Peace of My Mind: American Stories. Thanks to everyone who came out to Squirrel Haus Arts for the release party. There were people who’ve been in my books, people who helped support and fund the books, friends, family, and more. If I could judge it right from up front, … Continue reading We did it!
We have one week left in our Indiegogo campaign to fund our book, A Peace of My Mind: American Stories. There’s work to do. We’d welcome your help to stand with us and do all we can to move toward peace and reconciliation in a difficult time. Help if you can. Share this message far and wide. Together we can turn ripples of hope into … Continue reading Stories of Peace
We’re all in this together Black or white. Gay or straight. Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, or Atheist. Man, woman, or child. Republican or Democrat. Cop, soldier, artist, teacher, banker, farmer, or unemployed… We’re all in this together. When I started A Peace of My Mind, I set out to hear from people of all backgrounds. Especially the ones I didn’t know well. Especially the ones … Continue reading We’re all in this together
**Note** I remember on 9/11 I had a job photographing corporate headshots for a construction company. It was a full schedule, and the most surreal day I can recall as little snippets of the news filtered in. There was a weight in the air at the loss of life, yet they wanted to continue with the project, so I spent my day asking people to … Continue reading Don’t run
I owe you a story from our upcoming book, but the deadlines are looming, and I hope you’ll settle for an update for now. We have 10 days left of our Indiegogo campaign. We have raised more than $10,000 of our $25,000 goal. I just came back from a production meeting with the printer and designer, and as we head into the home stretch, I … Continue reading Our book update
It’s a lighter, faster version of A Peace of My Mind. Over the past three days, Karen and I gathered stories and photographed 50 participants at the Sojourners Summit for Change in Washington DC. The pace was quick, but the stories were rich. Not only did we photograph and gather stories, we immediately processed and produced the shots to be projected before the large group gatherings, … Continue reading Stories from the Summit
Those of you who know me recognize that A Peace of My Mind has become a labor of love. It is my response to a world that chooses division over unity and anger over compassion. A Peace of My Mind’s strength lies in its ability to amplify the voices of those who are working for positive change and encouraging others to do the same. It … Continue reading This is my response…what’s yours?
Angela Bates is the director of the historical society in Nicodemus, Kansas, a town that was settled by freed slaves after the Civil War in an effort to experience real freedom. All of the current 16 residents, including Angela, are direct descendants of those original settlers. It is the only remaining all-Black town west of the Mississippi. Angela sees herself as a descendant of people … Continue reading Angela Bates
Today we are launching an Indiegogo campaign to produce our second book, A Peace of My Mind: American Stories. Three years and 40,000 miles in the making, this new book (like the first) is built around inspiring stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. From its founding in 2009, A Peace of My Mind has grown from the grassroots support of people who believe that … Continue reading Our Campaign is Live!
