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Southern Walkers head towards Sunrise Ranch 2-16-08 |
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Written by Brita Brookes
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Tuesday, 19 February 2008 |
Today was what I called "My Walk that was guided by someone...in spirit" because every time I looked through my lens, something incredible was being presented to me...first a Baptist Church and Crucifix gets in the shot, then a sign for a penitentiary, then an orchard and then the horse that heard us and followed us...it was a magical day...something other than my hands were guiding me."
It all started with the Southern walkers heading down highway 99 South towards Turlock where they were going to camp out at the Sunrise Ranch.
Starting late and waking up on my own Lativian, Irish and English hybrid mix of "Indian Time", I found the walkers on the route resting for 10 minutes at a Baptist Church. As the walkers started to get ready to leave Wounded Knee started a drum and as I looked through the camera I saw the drum circle in the foreground and the Baptist Church in the background- the cross and then the circle of the drum. It made me think about how Native Americans used to have to practice religious rituals in secret, because until 1978, all Native American religious ceremony and practices were deemed illegal by the US government.
Just 30 years I thought. The thought lingered, as I watched them drum in this juxtaposition in my lens. It made me feel good that the walkers were in front of this place, outside under the Creator's sky, singing and drumming freely. Religious Freedom, that was that photo.
Then not 10 minutes down the road, I see a green sign, it seems to be calling me...I get closer and as I see the walkers coming down the horizo of the road, then sign comes into focus, its a sign for a penitentiary...Whoa. It was a perfect place to pray for our prisoners. The staff carriers and walkers chanted and drummed as they went by. I thought of Leonard Peltier, and all the others who are behind bars...how we were walking with their spirit by this green road sign with an arrow. Larry stopped for a moment with his flag and pointed the other way than the arrow as though to say- "hoka hey, we are walking, just try and stop us." That was a photo about our prisoners and rights.
Then the walkers soon walked by an almond orchard- trees lined up in rows like soldiers, then fields and crops of produce lined up in rows, and as I starred through my lens, I would slowly see groups of walkers cross through the horizontal composition- crossing the rows, and contrasting in color to the green fields.
The orange of the monks robes against the deep blue sky and the green fresh vegetables growing from Mother Earth. Our food, our lives depend on Mother earth, I thought!! I also thought of the tree of life, and the garden of people- as a community, growing together. Clean up, save Mother Earth! That was a photo about the green things that we need to save for Mother Earth.
Finally the four leggeds came into the scene, as the walkers came down a road, two horses lifted their ears and ran to the fence to greet us. They wanted to know what the fuss was about. One horse seemed to say "oh, oh yes the walk, I will join" and he started to walk along the fence with us. His mate, a white horse soon joined too. It was a special moment all walking together in the same direction with these horses. As we passed, the two had to stop at the end of the fence looking like "take us with you" in their eyes. Goodbye we said! Take care! That was a photo about Sprirt and the Western door maybe...
White horse was special I think. I think I knew him once...
But what do I know...
-Brita
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keep on marching friends.
we are all proud of join.
i join you in my thoughts!