http://www.juliedenesha.com/Slovakia_2007_2/index.html
Just when I thought I had it so good.
I had a chance to see a small pecha kucha by Julie Denesha last spring. It moved me.
Sometimes one doesn't notice the general greatness that individuals have until one moment the quiet appearance of their soul leaves your mind reeling and gasping.
It has been holding its breath.
Julie's work details Gypsy refugees in Slovakia, who live below poverty level in one of the poorest countries in the world, yet is not solely poverty, it is despisement of a people that are already beaten down.
In Julie's photographs, you see a population, small in number and poor beyond belief. Bombed out cars, people living in crumbling buildings that look to be hundreds of years old, minimal food, no heat. What a great campsite!
But this is life for them.
Now ... people, humans can adapt and live in harsh environs and truly thrive. Look at the pictures in the site. There are children playing, teenagers dreaming and older people working and striving to survive and make an existence for their families.
But some of those pictured are in process of grieving, as the rampant abuse of their people by folks in "town" goes unabated. Raids occur and people have been known to storm into the Gypsy home, vandalizing and beating those who live within. The raiders, instead of being prosecuted are getting away with murder.
Why is it that humans cannot drink the nectar of peace? We know full well that the folks who are doing this probably have some kind of education and more than likely have moral standards.
Why would we think that anyone, regardless of lifestyle deserves punishment for not living in the same manner as other people? Even if they could.
Whose place is it to lay wrath upon someone?
The pictures Denesha displays are mostly about how all people can adapt to the rudeness life can deliver.
The picture that blew my mind was this middle age guy wearing a gold colored watch. This is a guy whose back story would remind you that he's probably not up for any but a menial job in town, and maybe not even that.
Shoot, It's impossible for ME to wear a watch, I wonder what his life is like. How often does he check his watch?
So that's all for now.
NG
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