Location: Seattle, the question: “Why Are You Here Today”Trayvon Gilliam of Seattle, “I’m here to show support for Trayvon. For justice” When I asked him if he had anything else to say or if he wanted to add anything else, Trayvon replied “Isn’t that enough.”
(l-r) Father and son, Glenn and Jennar, of Redmond, Washington: “This is my son’s first rally. We attended President Obama’s inauguration.” Jennar: “I don’t think it’s fair, what happened to Trayvon Martin. Marissa Alexander fired a warning shot and she got jail. Her husband should have gone to jail. George Zimmerman should have gone to jail. It’s good that people came here to show they care.”
(l-r) Son and mother Myles and Vanessa of Edmonds Washington: Vanessa: “It’s my opportunity to come and participate. We need our justice system revamped. I think the verdict is just another statement of this. Young black men are profiled because of the color of their skin. It’s unjust. I want justice for everyone. I don’t want my son to be another statistic. I am here to represent who I am”
Myles: “Don’t visualize me as a wrong person just because of the color of my skin. Don’t profile me”
(l-r) Two friends speaking: Ahoua of Seattle: I’m here to demand justice for Trayvon. To keep his name alive. I have two young boys of my own. Trayvon did nothing wrong. I do not want him to be forgotten” Holding the flag is Gwen of Seattle” “I’m here because we need accountability. He is dead. This child did nothing wrong. I have granchildren. Are they next? We are all the same. We’ve all come together, sorry we here again.”
At front, is Cheryl of Seattle: “I have black people in my family. I have black grandchildren. We talk about race all the time. All the time. They tell me whats really going on. 70 percent of black men have been, are in, or will be put in jail. My family is humiliated. Humiliated every day. They are terrified. They are frightened to leave the house. Afraid they are going to be the next to get killed. Last week my grandson was blowing kisses from the parking garage to his wife on the sidewalk below. The police stopped him and her, and asked her if that man was bothering her. My grandchildren ask me to take them downtown because they know I will protect them.”
If you draw a line in the sand, as the saying goes, you draw distinction, sets boundaries, throw the proverbial gauntlet. Simply say, enough is enough.
This column aims to address the tantamount concerns facing our environment, culture, society, and ethos. There is no better way, in my humble opinion other than to record the visual and opinion of the person on the street.
Think of it as a visual cross section of Americans.
I really love people. It is the joy of my profession is to speak, engage and converse with other people. I really do, love to listen and hear what people have to say.
My method is simple.
I ask a question. Write down the answer. Speak back what I’ve heard.
This keeps me in balance as a journalist, and gives the participant the space to add, ameliorate or subtract from the sum total of our conversation.
My twitter paper, also titled A Line in the Sand, may be found here
Can you cite three examples of green energy, technology, and/or resources and do you implement any of them?
Claire R., 34, nanny, of Seattle, Wa.: “bicycling, architectural recycling & buy organic. I implement all three. Organic is a challenge at the end of the month because it is expensive.”
Frieboes Family, 23, 34, & 12, fitness consultant, chef, & student, of Oregon: “recycling, solar and composting. Yes we use all three in our daily lives.”
(l-r) Daniel N. 50, unemployed, Seattle, Wa. & Brian L. 42, window installer, Renton, Wa.: “wind, solar & composting: We were just discussing this. We walk rather than driving or taking the bus. We’re able-bodied. We can drive but choose not to. We take solar showers. Use high-U.V. glass for the home. This makes for lower heating bills and conversely lower cooling bills. All of this makes for less waste and consumption.”
(l-r) Martin D. & Kitti J., 24 & 23, automotive I.T. & hair stylist, of Bratislava, Slovakia: “wind turbines, hydroelectricity, & solar Energy. Unfortunately not, but, we do use solar generated lamps in our garden.”
Emily P., 23, restaurant hostess, Colorado Springs, CO. : “walking, public transportation, & recycling. We walk instead of using my car and additionally use public transportation. We also recycle and compost, limit our water use. We shower one time per day and shower together to save water.”
All replies and photographs are published with the participants permission. Photographs taken using an iPod touch.
A Line in the Sand column copyright, Ana Elisa Fuentes.
My sincere thanks to the participants.
Can you cite three examples of green energy, technology, and/or resources and do you implement any of them?
Keenan G., 20, Cellular Biology student, Santa Barbara, California: “I feel like in the beginning, it didn’t. But now, it is a bigger deal. Issues like global warming, ice caps melting and our diminishing resources; these must be difficult decisions for our next president. I feel like the candidates need to listen to the people more and be less concerned with the popularity that comes with being President. Maybe I ought to look into and invest more time in the green party. These are issues that the entire planet is facing, not just the United States.”
Trudy B., 63, Vocalist, Santa Barbara, California: “Yes. I’ve always been interested in environmental issues. I don’t like some of the things we are doing to mother earth. I feel very strongly about our precious mother Earth. In many ways we have been unconscious about how we treat her and her resources. We need to wake up.”
Julie C. 69, Retired Nurse, Shreveport, Louisiana: “To a certain extent. I don’t want us to be foolhardy. I’m from a red state, Louisiana. I want us to be energy independent whether, it’s oil, gas, or solar. I’m a conservative. I study both sides of the issues. There are a lot of resources that should be taken use of. This will provide jobs. We need to be smart about what we do. Take every opportunity, be careful and watchful about how we protect our environment.”
Gerald D. 80, Retired Electrical Engineer, Portland, Oregon: “Environmental issues are not going to convince me one way or another. Period. They are not going to end up doing anything about it anyway.”
Oscar M., 60, Musician, Santa Barbara, California: “The environment is important to me. If I was voting, it would be somebody who is not representing corporate interests. I think we are due for big changes, on all levels, including our environment and our voting system.”
Todd G., 34, Electrician, Sheridan, Oregon: “No, not really. But, I think nuclear is the cleanest energy. I think it has the smallest environmental impact per square foot.”
Kyle D., 22, Unemployed, New Mexico: “I will not base my decisions on political discussion. They are roundabouts and the issues in question are constantly changing. I will decide in my own way. I will do my research then. I will vote based on who they are as a person. Specifics don’t matter.”
All replies and photographs are published with the participants permission. Photographs taken using an iPod touch.
A Line in the Sand column copyright, Ana Elisa Fuentes.
This blog post powered by foot and public transportation.
My sincere thanks to the participants.
Are Environmental issues influencing your election 2012 decisions?
Welcome to A Line in the Sand – my new weekly column that will address pertinent questions about our environment in open public spaces.
Question: What does climate change mean to you?
Johnathan G. and Bridget M. both 19, students, of Rancho Cucamonga, California ” We were just talking about this. Climate change is caused by human activity. People need to pay attention. People need to be aware, about everything we consume and how we consume, and how we obtain what we consume, and our disposal. We need to be aware of our ecological footprint. All of this affects our biodiversity, especially when it starts killing things around us. It is so easy to ignore.”
Paolo M., 29, scientist, Lugano, Switzerland: ” I think it’s a measure of concern. It is underestimated. Our life is short, but the effects are long-term. We don’t do enough to prevent it. It’s important to try to make people aware of it, especially in the U.S.A. where people drive their car for an errand five minutes away. And plastic. I have been here two weeks and have a hundred bags. In Europe, the glaciers are disappearing.”
Oscar G., 32, window washer, Chula Vista, California: A variation of hot and cold weather. Stormy weather. Hot winds, cold fronts, dramatic and not normal weather patterns.”
Shao-Ya Hsu, 37, student, Scripps Ranch, California: Awareness of the environment. Before I was not so aware. Personally, I try to do more – recycling, not wasting our resources. Just to be here and observe the ocean. I just appreciate it. We have only one earth and we need to protect it.”
Ramona B. 49, housewife, Louisiana: I’ve heard about it on T.V. It’s all I can think of.”
All replies and photographs are published with the participants permission.
A Line in the Sand column copyright, Ana Elisa Fuentes.
The Legend PeopleThe dynamic rock formations, spires or Hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah were recognized by the Native American Paiutes as the ‘Legend People’ who turned to stone . An ever evolving Rorschach test, facial impressions or rock sculpted figures can been seen and are designated by name throughout the park. According to the National Park Service these unique rock formations, sculpted by the forces of ice and wind erosion, were born 30 to 40 millions years ago when a lake once covered much of Western Utah.
AnaElisa 