Blog Archives
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
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
TPPA Walk Away Dunedin 2015 – Protest Rally
Protest against the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement that is under negotiation.
15 August 2015
Photos ©Paul S Allen 2015
www.thewaterside.co.nz
www.facebook.com/nothingperfectnz
Dunedin Hospital: Local Jobs – Local Food – Local People
Protest to oppose the outsourcing of food services at the Southern District Health Board
Support Dunedin Public Hospital
Facebook page
Stop Dunedin Hospital from being downgraded
3News report
A creative call to action
This is a call for all of us creative types to use our talents for social good.
We now more than ever need to use our art and talents to highlight the real New Zealand, so that people will see it is not the 100% pure image seen in the glossy marketing.
We need people to see the eroded sovereign rights, the increasing poverty, the widening inequality, the unemployed, the polluted waterways and growing environmental issues. the downtrodden, sick and forgotten and the many, many other issues being experienced in our country today.
It is now time…
“A bed for the night” Homeless in Dunedin
- For photographers to use images to unsettle and enlighten.
- For singer-songwriters to sing the songs that challenge the status quo.
- For thinkers and poets to question authority.
- For the media to be independent and investigative not swayed by biased political or commercial agenda.
- For people to stand up for all those who need a voice to be heard.
- For all of us to tell the world that everything is NOT ok in this country.
We can, we should and we will do something about it.
PS: if you know of an event that highlights the need for social change or for justice or other protest in Dunedin NZ please contact me. As a photographer I am happy to use my skills for a good cause.
Paul
