POE feature...."Diversity"

Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day. Anonymous


If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. John F. Kennedy


Experiencing the diversity and richness in others around us is one of the most awesome things about being here, I think. The differences in us are something to be respected and appreciated and enjoyed. Here are a few of my favorite photographs from the very talented POE, which illustrate my feelings perfectly. These photos are moving and amazingly beautiful. A sincere thank you to Chris, Mady, Darryl and Jen for sharing their photographs and their stories with me.



This wonderfully intimate photograph was taken by Chris (http://www.ancientartizen.etsy.com/). Chris's comments:

"The Monk & The Monkey" is one of my favorite shots and hands down the best moment I've ever caught on camera. It was photographed at the famed Temple of the Tigers near Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The temple monks rescue endangered animals including Tigers and the monkey shown in the photo from the black market trade near the Burmese border. I had the opportunity to capture this moment while visiting the monestary during a backpacking trip across Southeast Asia in 2002.

Any POE member (really any etsy member) has probably seen this incredible self portrait by Madelaine (http://www.madelaine.etsy.com/).

This awesome photogaph was taken by DarrylGlade (http://www.darrylglade.etsy.com/). Darryl's words:

The story of the second line photo is an interesting one. Hurricane Katrina decimated my home city of New Orleans. Katrina not only exposed the city's hurricane defense weaknesses, but it also exposed deep rooted race relations issues. It soon became apparent that these race relations issues existed not only in New Orleans but throughout the United States (including Washington D.C.).Towards the end of 2005, a huge second line was organized. For those who do not know, a second line is associated with a jazz funeral here in New Orleans. There is a "first line" which consists of people integral to the funeral, such as family and friends. Following the first line is the "second line." The second line is made up of onlookers and people who are attracted to the music being played. Lots of dancing typically takes place in the second line. These days, second lines can take place independently of funerals and can mark the observance of a certain event or even just to show pride in one's culture. This is, of course, a very shortened explanation of what a second line is. Whole books are written about them!Anyway, there was this huge second line planned to mark the "rebirth" of New Orleans. Literally thousands of people took part. There were people as far as the eye could see. Many different brass bands and many different types of people all came together and paraded through the city that the love. Of all the pictures I took this day, this one means the most to me. I think that it encapsulates the entire message of that second line. First of all the most obvious...Rebirth Brass Band is playing (one of my favorite brass bands)! The next is that the entire frame of the picture is filled up with people of all different races parading right next to each other and supporting each other in their fight to survive this difficult time. Lastly, while the picture may feel a bit chaotic, most everyone is ultimately moving in the same direction...forward.

This beautifully detailed photograph was taken by Jen (http://www.ppdesigns.etsy.com/). Jen's description:

This photo was taken at a Masai village in Kenya. I was drawn to taking this photo because of the vibrant colours of the beaded jewellery especially against the red cloth garment.We learnt that the beaded jewellery is quite an important aspect to the decoration of the masai women. There is much meaning to it from the colours that are used to the style of jewellery that is worn which can depict the different stages in a womans life and even their position in the village. The Masai people at this village were wonderful and friendly. They gave us a little insight into their lives and culture which made this journey fantastic.