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The Bridge

Photographer Louis Carlos Bernal memorialized the barrios at the US-Mexican border

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Rebecca Senf, University of Arizona

Louis Carlos Bernal, a Chicano photographer born in the Arizona border town of Douglas in 1941, invented a style of art photography that honored his Mexican American culture. In the process, he created an indelible record of life in Southwestern barrios – low-income, primarily Spanish-speaking neighborhoods – in the 1970s and 1980s.

He died tragically in 1993 when he was just 52 years old. With his photographs in only a few museum collections, his legacy received little attention over the past three decades. Now, his powerful images are reaching new audiences through a bilingual book and exhibition of 120 photographs.

As chief curator of the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, I’ve been working with Bernal’s photographs over the past decade. In 2014, his family donated his photographs, negatives, contact sheets, working materials and memorabilia, which allowed us to establish the Louis Carlos Bernal Archive at the center.

The exhibition, which runs from Sept. 14, 2024, to March 15, 2025, will feature the portraits of everyday Mexican Americans from his most famous series of photographs, “Barrios.” And thanks to the work of photography scholar Elizabeth Ferrer, we’ve learned even more about Bernal’s artistic technique, process and goals.

Capturing ‘Chicanismo’

As a child, Bernal was given a camera and became captivated by making photographs. He enrolled at Arizona State University thinking he would become a Spanish teacher, but his fascination with photography won out.

Bernal pursued various projects as he deepened his exploration of photography. He created collages featuring iconic images of former president John F. Kennedy, who, as the first Catholic president, was particularly revered in the Mexican American community. Responding to the Watergate hearings, and interested in the impact of media on public perception, he worked on a series in which he instructed family members to hold a life-size mask of Richard M. Nixon up to their faces. Emulating the work of one of his mentors, visual artist Frederick Sommer, he made abstract images using sculptural cut paper.

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Ultimately these experiments gave way to a rich and sustained project of photographing Mexican Americans and their homes.

In doing so, he turned his neighbors, relatives and other Chicanos living in the Southwest into his artistic subjects. Together, the images convey Bernal’s goal of expressing his Mexican American pride, known as “Chicanismo.”

In this way, he was a part of the Chicano art movement, which sought to address the political and cultural concerns of the Mexican American community. Chicano artists highlighted issues such as labor exploitation, immigration, gender roles and racial discrimination. Their goal was to upend stereotypes about Mexican Americans, critique the status quo and cultivate a shared cultural identity.

‘Art of and for the people’

Bernal’s photographs might remind some viewers of snapshots found in a family album, and they do share many qualities with family photographs: They feature people in everyday settings; the subjects are often centered, posing naturally and appearing relaxed; and he preferred color photography, which, by the 1970s, had become a popular way to document birthday parties, holidays and other family milestones.

Bernal, however, gave a lot of thought to the elements in each photograph. He had a process for making pictures just as he envisioned them.

Throughout the many photographs he took inside homes and businesses, and of gatherings of relatives and friends, he deliberately highlighted personal possessions: framed family photographs, altars, posters, religious icons, textiles, and floral and seasonal decorations. Beyond the people in the images, he wanted to convey themes of family, spirituality, home and community.

Photograph of a young woman sewing in the foreground, with another young woman sitting on a bed in the background.
Louis Carlos Bernal, ‘Dos Mujeres, Douglas, Arizona,’ 1978. Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive, © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal

In a 1982 video interview, Bernal described his process, and how he would “(work) things out in advance in my head before going out.”

This allowed him to work quickly when he was in someone’s home, minimizing the imposition his presence might cause. He also liked to photograph variations of the same setting – for instance, a room with and without family members, or a scene in both color and black and white. Later, he reviewed all the options, selecting the best from a group of images with subtle differences.

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Young man wearing sunglasses holds a pool cue while posing against a green-walled bar called 'El Gato' in the desert.
Louis Carlos Bernal, ‘El Gato, Canutillo, New Mexico,’ 1979. Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona: Louis Carlos Bernal Archive, © Lisa Bernal Brethour and Katrina Ann Bernal

In this way, he was able to create photographs from the world around him based on his deep familiarity with Chicano life and culture. These images introduced a way of life to people beyond the barrios. But they held up a mirror for other Mexican Americans, who could easily recognize the scenes.

“The Chicano artist cannot isolate himself from the community,” Bernal said in 1984, “but finds himself in the midst of his people creating art of and for the people.”

Elevating the everyday

Bernal’s process can be seen in a pair of typical portraits.

In “6th Street Barrio, Douglas, Arizona, 1979,” Bernal photographs a young boy in the living room of his family’s home.

The boy represents one point of a triangular composition. A dark brown, upholstered couch acts as the other, while family photographs high on the yellow wall form the apex. Bernal situated himself across from the corner of the room, where a small end table covered with the family’s possessions sat.

The triangular arrangement of the photograph’s key elements – and the symmetry of the vertical line formed by the room’s corner at center – gives the image balance, stability and permanence, reflecting the way family and home serve as an anchor for the Chicano community.

In “Leon Speer’s Barber Shop, Felix Valdivezo & Daughter Patricia, Lordsburg, New Mexico, 1978,” Bernal places the wall of the barbershop parallel to his lens. This choice creates an organized, composed and easily understood environment in which to make a photograph of the barber, the customer and the customer’s daughter.

Through this perspective – and with some help from a row of mirrors and lights – Bernal captures a little world in its entirety, from the tiled floor reflecting sunlight to the collection of items on a shelf below the pressed-tin ceiling. In doing so, Bernal elevates an ordinary place and everyday people as something special to behold. Instead of the spontaneous and candid qualities you might expect from the casual documentation of, say, a child’s first haircut, Bernal has used a deliberate and formal approach, rendering a familiar subject art-worthy.

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Bernal’s legacy

Bernal was building this incredible document of contemporary Mexican American culture when his life was cut short.

He had built the photography program at Pima Community College, in Tucson, Arizona, and his photography practice was thriving. But in 1989, as he was biking to work, he was struck by a car. He spent the next four years in a coma, passing away on his birthday in 1993, at age 52.

Although he had achieved acclaim in the U.S., his career was more acknowledged in Mexico, where he had developed a strong community and thriving professional network. Following his death, his work was not widely circulated in the U.S.

With the establishment of his archive, the publication of “Louis Carlos Bernal: Monografía,” and the opening of a large exhibition celebrating his work, I hope his Chicano pride and artistic vision will be introduced to a new generation of viewers, cementing his legacy in the history of American art.

Rebecca Senf, Chief Curator, Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge

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Festivals

From Howard to Hollywood: The 2nd Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival Brings Star-Studded Lineup to Howard University

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From HBCU to Hollywood


The excitement is palpable as the 2nd Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival prepares to take center stage at the historic Howard University in Washington, D.C., from November 8-10, 2024. Celebrating the richness of Black cinema and the inspiring creativity from Historically Black College and University filmmakers, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for attendees.

A Premiere Celebration of HBCU Talent

The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival holds a unique position as the nation’s only festival dedicated exclusively to celebrating HBCU-educated filmmakers, executives, and content creators. With a focus on “A Celebration of Black Cinema x Activism,” this three-day fête is not just about showcasing films; it’s about building bridges from HBCUs to Hollywood, offering invaluable opportunities for networking, learning, and career development.

photo of a lens for a photographic camera
Photo by JONATHAN PAGAOA on Pexels.com

Unveiling an Impressive Lineup

This year’s festival features a stellar lineup of celebrities and changemakers, including NAACP Image Award-winning actress Naturi Naughton-Lewis, who will be engaging in a revealing conversation about the power, passion, and perseverance required in today’s entertainment industry. The discussion will be moderated by none other than Emmy Award-winning host and comedienne Loni Love.

Additionally, attendees can look forward to a masterclass with showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, known for her work on “All American” and “Found.” For those seeking career advice, Keanna “KJ” Rose, a 2024 “I Aspire” 100 honoree and FAMU alum, will provide invaluable insights into career development.

Spotlight on Cinema and Activism

The festival doesn’t stop at panels and discussions. It also features film screenings, including a talkback session with the cast and crew of the true crime series “Killer Relationships with Faith Jenkins.” The My HBCU Joy Awards Luncheon is set to honor notable figures such as Keshia Knight-Pulliam and Stacy Milner.

@stmblog

HBCU filmmakers are redefining cinema with fresh, diverse stories. Hollywood is taking notice! #DiversityInFilm #HBCUPower ♬ original sound – STMDailyNews

One of the festival’s highlights is the HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge, which this year received over 200 submissions. The challenge provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talent, with three winners set to receive internships, fast-tracking their entrance into the film industry.

Engaging Sessions and Iconic Films

Participants will delve into rich discussions celebrating iconic Black film titles. Sessions like “STRICTLY BUSINESS” will explore independent filmmaking and entrepreneurship, while “THE BLACK GODFATHER” will cover documentary filmmaking and music licensing. Attendees can also look forward to sessions inspired by films like “BEAUTY SHOP” and “DREAMGIRLS,” offering insights into costume design, character makeup, and the journeys of young Black actresses.

Save the Date and Be Part of the Movement

For students, filmmakers, and cinephiles, the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is an unmissable event. Tickets are available at hbcufirstlook.com and through the HBCU First LOOK Festival app. Follow the festival’s social media platforms for the latest updates and join the conversation using hashtags #hbcufirstlook, #blackfilmmakers, and #IAspirechallenge.

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From Howard to Hollywood
Filmmaker editing audio film montage on professional software computer at home, using visual effects to create multimedia content. Post-production footage with sound.

A Festival with Vision and Purpose

Founded by Howard University alum Sheila Eldridge, the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is more than just a festival; it’s a movement aiming to inspire and equip the next generation of diverse talent in the film and television industries. The festival’s mission is supported by a robust lineup of sponsors and media partners, including AARP, NBC Universal, and Howard University Television + Film, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful experience for all participants.

This November, come celebrate a vibrant community of storytellers and creators who are redefining the future of cinema, right here at the heart of Howard University. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, an industry professional, or a lover of cinema, the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is set to be an inspiring and transformative experience.

From Howard to Hollywood

Read the press release: https://www.hbcufirstlook.com/post/hbcu-first-look-film-festival-announces-2024-i-aspire-100-2nd-annual-festival-returns-to-howard-un

SOURCE Miles Ahead Entertainment

Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

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Community

The Government of Canada launches Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate

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Canada’s first-ever Action Plan on Combatting Hate brings together key federal initiatives to combat hate across the country

OTTAWA, ON /CNW/ – Canada, like elsewhere around the world, has seen a rise in hate both on the streets and online in recent years. The federal government is committed to doing whatever it takes to protect everyone living in Canada as well as the resilient and diverse communities across the country to ensure that all can thrive while being their authentic self.

The rise in hate incidents has disproportionately affected Indigenous Peoples; Black, racialized, religious minorities, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities; women; and persons with disabilities. Hate not only harms those directly targeted but also impacts the broader Canadian society, undermining social cohesion and posing a threat to national security.

That’s why today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, unveiled Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The Action Plan represents Canada’s first-ever comprehensive cross-government effort to combat hate. It brings together 20 key federal initiatives grounded on three pillars:

  • Empower communities to identify and prevent hate;
  • Support victims and survivors, and protect communities; and
  • Build community trust, partnerships and institutional readiness.

The Action Plan invests $273.6 million over six years, and $29.3 million ongoing, to tackle hatred from multiple angles. It includes increasing support to victims and survivors, helping communities prevent, address and protect people from hate; enhancing research and data collection; providing greater resources for law enforcement; and raising public awareness.

Everyone has a right to be safe and treated with dignity. We will collaborate with provincial, territorial and international governments, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, and cities and communities across Canada to make this happen. Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate will help us continue building a safer and more inclusive Canada where everyone can succeed, regardless of who they are, who they love or what they believe in.

Quotes

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, regardless of who they are, what they look like or what they believe in. We have all been alarmed to witness the tragic consequences of hate, both at home and abroad. Hate has no place in Canada – whether in person or online, in our schools, or in our places of worship. Our government is committed to keeping communities across the country safe. Because when someone becomes a victim of hate, it affects all of us. Canada’s first-ever Action Plan on Combatting Hate represents an unprecedented cross-government effort to combat hate while providing more support to victims of hate and at-risk communities. As we face difficult and challenging times, we must stand up for who are as a country – a country where diversity is our strength and where everyone can be who they are and achieve their dreams without fear.”

—The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

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“Hate, in all its forms, has no place in Canada – everyone has a right to feel and be safe in their homes and in their communities. We all have a role to play in fighting discrimination and fostering a fairer, safer and more inclusive Canada. The Changing Narratives Fund, as part of Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, will break down systemic barriers and empower diverse voices in the arts, culture and media. The fund ensures their experiences and perspectives are better represented, and advances anti-racism, equity, and diversity and inclusion within the cultural and media sectors.”

—The Honourable Pascale St–Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“In the face of an increase in hate crimes, our government is stepping up to ensure at-risk communities can access financial support to protect their institutions. The new Canada Community Security Program is designed to be simpler, more flexible and more generous, in direct response to what we’ve heard from community organizations across the country.”

—The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

“No one should live in fear of being who they are, but we know that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression continues to be a reality in Canada. This is wrong and must be eliminated. Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate complements actions we have taken to protect and support Canadians since 2015, including the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, all of which were developed by listening to the voices and lived experiences of individuals and communities across Canada. As always, we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with all communities experiencing hate and we will not hesitate to use all federal tools to protect and support them.”

—The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“We all expect to be safe in our homes, in our neighbourhoods and in our communities. This is why we introduced Bill C-63, a key component of Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate. We know that online harms can have real world impacts with tragic and sometimes fatal consequences. This legislation is about keeping everyone safer in an online world that can feel more dangerous and unfortunately more toxic each and every day so that women, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and people of diverse faiths and backgrounds can go to their places of worship, community centres, schools or work without fearing that online threats might turn into real world danger.”

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—The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

“Canada is as innovative as it is diverse, and it is far more successful when everyone is given a fair chance to develop their full potential, free from hate and discrimination. With Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, we are standing up to confront hate and protect Canadians, and Statistics Canada will be key in researching and gathering the data needed to build a safer and more resilient society.”

—The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Canada is a country rich in diversity, where every person deserves to feel safe and be respected. This is why today we’re launching Canada’s first-ever Action Plan on Combatting Hate, a commitment of $273 million to help build a safe Canada for everyone.”

—Sameer Zuberi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities 

Quick Facts

Budget 2022 provided $85 million over four years, starting in 2022–23, to the Department of Canadian Heritage to launch and implement the new Anti-Racism Strategy and a national action plan on combatting hate. Budget 2024 provides an additional $273.6 million over six years, starting in 2024–25, and $29.3 million ongoing to support Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The Action Plan brings together key initiatives led by federal departments and organizations, including Canadian Heritage, Public Safety Canada, Justice Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Women and Gender Equality Canada, Statistics Canada and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

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According to the July 2024 Statistics Canada data release, the number of police-reported hate crimes increased from 3,612 incidents in 2022 to 4,777 in 2023 (+32%), even though some victims might not report a hate crime they experienced. This followed an 8-percent increase in 2022 and a 72-percent increase from 2019 to 2021. Overall, the number of police-reported hate crimes (+145%) has more than doubled since 2019.

Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate is complemented by the work of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism and the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.

Public Safety Canada’s enhanced Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) (previously the Security Infrastructure Program) is also part of Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The CCSP is making it easier and more efficient for organizations and communities at risk of hate-motivated crime to access security support when they need it.

The Action Plan aligns with ongoing efforts to further mitigate the risk of exposure to harmful content online through Bill C-63, which proposes to create a new Online Harms Act to create stronger protections for the most vulnerable groups online. The Government of Canada has tabled Bill C-63An Act to enact the Online Harms Act, to amend the Criminal Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act and An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, in the House of Commons.

Canada is signatory to the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online, which is a global pledge by 56 governments, including Canada, as well as online service providers and civil society organizations to coordinate and collaborate on efforts to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The Government of Canada reiterates its engagement to advance the Christchurch Call to Action in Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate.

Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate complements Changing Systems, Transforming Lives: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024–2028. Both initiatives take a comprehensive and intersectional approach to confronting hate, racism and discrimination.

Associated Links

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Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate

The Canada Community Security Program

Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy: Changing Systems, Transforming Lives 2024–2028

Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (formerly the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives [CSMARI])

Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan

Backgrounder: Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate

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OTTAWA, September 24, 2024

Far too many people’s lives are impacted by hate and its devastating consequences. Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate is informed by individuals and communities with lived experience of hate. It is grounded in consultation activities organized by the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, which included:

  • 15 town halls
  • 2 national summits on antisemitism and Islamophobia;
  • 1 national youth forum on anti-Black racism;
  • 21 roundtables; and
  • an online questionnaire open to everyone in Canada.

Additionally, the Action Plan builds on community engagement conducted by the 2SLGBTQI+ Secretariat for the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan, three roundtables led by Public Safety Canada on the Security Infrastructure Program (now known as the Canada Community Security Program), and research and recommendations from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. 

The Action Plan lays the foundation for the Government of Canada’s robust response to the growing threat of hate while ensuring every person’s right to be safe and treated with dignity. To achieve this goal, priority areas for action are organized under three pillars:

  • Empower communities to identify and prevent hate;
  • Support victims and survivors, and protect communities; and
  • Build community trust, partnerships and institutional readiness.

To drive real change across the country, the Action Plan brings new and existing initiatives together to foster greater coordination and collaboration among federal organizations. Working in collaboration with their provincial, territorial, international, Indigenous and municipal counterparts, it includes federal initiatives led by:

  • Canadian Heritage;
  • Canadian Race Relations Foundation;
  • Justice Canada;
  • Public Safety Canada;
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
  • Statistics Canada; and
  • Women and Gender Equality Canada.

Everyone has multiple and diverse factors of identity that intersect. This impacts how individuals understand and experience hate and the government’s response to hate crimes and hate incidents. This Action Plan was developed using Gender-Based Analysis Plus in an effort to develop responsive measures that take into account the diversity of needs and realities.

For more information, consult the Action Plan web page at https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/combatting-hate.html.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge

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STM Blog

A Cautionary Tale Unfolds Across Generations

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Cautionary Tale


Cautionary Tale

On a cool Saturday morning in November of 1978, my dad and I embarked on what had become one of our cherished weekend rituals—our trip to Long Beach to visit Builder’s Emporium. As we cruised in his gleaming new truck, our conversations flowed as easily as the road beneath us, ranging from home projects to my growing anticipation for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast. At 13, my mind was alive with dreams of turkey, stuffing, and my mom’s signature white cake with pineapple chunks and coconut sprinkles.


In that blissful moment of anticipation and routine, I had no inkling of the seismic shift about to occur in our world. Upon returning home, the air was heavy with an unfamiliar tension. My mother, with a pained expression, revealed the tragic news she had received—Maria Parker, a dear family friend, had lost her mother and nephew in the Jonestown tragedy.

The Jonestown massacre, a name now infamous in history, was bewildering to my young mind. The television was not showing the Saturday morning cartoons I expected but instead a somber news report detailing a sorrow that stretched far beyond what any child should comprehend. Over 900 lives had been lost to the sinister whims of Jim Jones and his delusions veiled as “revolutionary suicide.”

An aerial view of the dead in Jonestown – Wikipedia

This event became a poignant turning point in my childhood, a stark introduction to how devastatingly real the world can be, even beyond the bubble of safety created by family. The lesson imparted by my parents—to confront rather than shy away from harsh truths—remains with me as an indelible life lesson.

Recently, in conversation with my uncle Melvin, he recounted seeing Jim Jones at a Bay Area event. He noted Jones’s undeniable charisma, an attribute that initially hid his dark motives. This realization emphasized the enduring danger of blind allegiance to misguided figures masquerading as saviors.

A Cautionary Tale

The Cautionary Tale

Today, I find myself reflecting on that cold November morning, feeling the eerie familiarity of history threatening to repeat itself. Society seems entranced by individuals displaying harmful behaviors, convicted felons who hold sway over masses despite glaring faults. As I watch these troubling tendencies unfold again, I am haunted by the echoes of Jonestown—a community of well-meaning people lost to the allure of misguided zealotry.

Let this recollection serve as a cautionary tale. Blindly following someone—no matter how captivating their persona—can lead to devastating outcomes. It’s crucial to maintain a critical perspective, to question and challenge, to prevent history from repeating its darkest chapters. As I write this, I hope to spark vigilance against those who, with the guise of charisma, lead others down a path fraught with peril.

Watching blindly loyal masses in our present time is as sad and scary as that fateful Saturday when I first encountered the true darkness humans can follow. To those witnessing today’s unfolding stories, let us heed this warning and remember: the cost of ignoring history is far too great to bear again.

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge

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Read more about Jonestown here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown

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  • Rod Washington

    Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art. View all posts


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