in honor of september 11, i am going to pack up my camera, a couple rolls of film (both b/w and color) and spend the evening capturing the American South - at least, my corner of it. i want to do something quiet and creative. i don't want to sing America the Beautiful or say the Pledge of Allegiance or sway in unison with crowd of people swinging flags.

i have problems with america. i have problems with the policies set forth and acted out since the terrorist attacks. i do not believe in abducting people based on the irrational fear of their ethnicities, nationalities, loyalties, or beliefs. i do not support a nation that creates abduction and tries to hide the disappeared. why won't they tell us who has been detained? why don't they want reporters and cameras in these holding prisons? why are they using our tragedy to propel us into war and more death and destruction? we are no better than the military juntas of our neighbors.

so, rather than fake my pride in this country, i will silently document that day and remember the pain and grief it brought to us all. i will remember without the pomp and circumstance. a silent tribute to all that once was and all that can someday be. the cycle of life, the cycle of human emotion, the grief that soon becomes beloved memory.