Category Archives: Community
The time to change is now!
I am deeply saddened by the news that 49 people in Orlando Florida in the USA, have been murdered in cold blood and that 53 others have been wounded in this latest horrific incident.
These murderous attacks are happening across the planet killing many, many people. More often than not, the targets are innocent people going about normal everyday activities.
The hate and the killing must stop!
No one should die because they have different belief structures, or are different in any way from another person.
Forget…
Let us forget forever the name of the Orlando murderer, banish it to the loneliest unmarked grave, without honour or epitaph. Do not show his picture and do not give coverage to his extreme and twisted personal misinterprtations of a particular religion.
Remember…
But more than that…
Let us all learn to truly accept people and respect them as they are regardless of their faith or non-faith, gender association, sexual orientation, skin colour, ethnic origin etc.
Although not an excuse, our problem is that we can only see through the eyes we have, and they are biased, due to our personal experiences and what we have been taught or modelled. However change is possible for all of us, but only if we are willing to start.
We must always search for better ways, always question entrenched ideologies, always ask for help if you need it, and offer it where you are able.
- We need to start to see the person, the humanity, within each individual and respect them as they are;
- We need to stop labelling and putting people in boxes that make it easier for us to dismiss others as different or inferior;
- We need to remember that the blood in all our veins runs red, that we breathe the same air, and that this tiny little rock floating in space that we share is our only home.
It is a bold, courageous and glorious goal to love everybody and it is not easy, but even a small step in the direction of love is a good start. The trick is, when you start the journey, keep moving.
We must remember that this is a journey and
- We are all at varying stages along the way,
- We are not perfect,
- We are broken,
- We can’t do it alone,
- We need help,
- We need patience with others on the journey.
May be, just may be, if we all take a small step towards love and peace the world will be a better place.
Paul S Allen
Nook and Cranny Music Festival 2016
A festival of Dunedin musicians, singer-songwriters, bands and solo acts for the launch of NZ Music Month 2016
Held 1 May 2016 at the Dunedin Public Library
Dunedin, New Zealand
Here is a sample of images from the day there are more on my Flickr account
The Mentalist Collective
Valley Bluegrass
Henry Phillip Wilson
Molly Devine
Tiny Pieces of Eight
Graeme Downes
Photos ©Paul S Allen 2016
http://www.thewaterside.co.nz
http://www.facebook.com/nothingperfectnz
The Rockabilly Ball – Dunedin Fringe Festival
All-star Leo Ladell band and Both Sides of the Line Perform at the Dunedin Fringe Festival event “The Rockabilly Ball” at the Lone Start Cafe. The MC for the night was Warren Voight.
A fantastic night of rockabilly music and dancing.
The Rockabilly Ball
Dunedin Fringe Festival
Photos ©Paul S Allen 2016
http://www.thewaterside.co.nz
http://www.facebook.com/nothingperfectnz
If you have an event coming up in Dunedin and want a photographic record of the event (street photo style and not formal or posed) Please contact me.
If you would like some portraits done even simple shots for your social media accounts let me know.
Black and white is my colour of choice check my Flickr account for portfolio.
Also contact me if you would like a musician/singer/songwriter to perform in Dunedin.
Available evenings and weekends.
Waitangi Day 2016 – Dunedin/Otepoti
Waitangi Day was commemorated in Dunedin/Otepoti by way of a community concert. Photos below.
This family friendly event encourages all who attend, both Maori and non-Maori alike, to remember their roots.
It was a song (waiata) filled afternoon and great hospitality given freely to everyone who attended. I had the privilege to play a few songs also.
People were also encouraged to look at the information on hand to learn more about the Treaty of Waitangi.
If you would like to read the Treaty click here – Read both the English and Maori version
A huge thank you to all the organisers of this great event.
See photos below.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Don’t forget your Roots
Dunedin/Otepoti 6 February 2016
More photos are available on my flickr account
TPPA Protest – Dunedin 2016
Photos and video from the TPPA protest in Dunedin 30 January 2016 labeled the “TPPA Free Zone”
Click here for more photos on my Flickr page
Photos ©Paul S Allen 2016
http://www.thewaterside.co.nz
http://www.facebook.com/nothingperfectnz
