VISUALIZING PEACE AND JUSTICE REFLECTION

I have always known that photography was used in social documentary. However, it was not until the Visualizing Peace and Justice trip that I truly understood what it really meant to be living with art.  We found beauty and grace with the people of Ecuador.  We found harmony and serenity in the landscape of Ecuador.  And we found that our digital cameras not only captured the moments but also the compassion and the empathy.  Experiencing something firsthand rather than from a spectator’s point of view was very different.  As a photography major, I used photos and images to capture an instance in time and to document social change.  However, when I was in Ecuador, I saw life woven into fabrics, painted on walls and choreographed into dances.  Art was presented to me in a way that I never before perceived.  It was a communication breaker, a bridge between different cultures, and it was brilliant.  If learning is a lifelong journey, then I think I have started at a very good point!  I learned art was everywhere.  If we could just slow down and take in the beauty of the sights around us, then we would be able to live in art every day of our lives.  Taking pictures in Ecuador allowed me to slow down and appreciate life. 

We forged strong and deep relationships even without speaking the same language.  When the heart spoke, it cut through all barriers.  The people of Ecuador welcomed us with their arms and hearts.  I cherished the experience.  Trust and an open mind is very important.  With trust we know our friendship cannot be broken, and the bond that we have nurtured would not diminish over time and distance.  Keeping an open mind allows us to see and to accept our differences.  This enables people from different races and cultures to live in harmony with honor and integrity.