UNIVERSAL FREEDOM
“I love picking one word that can encapsulate a life!”
The words I chose for the powerful individuals portrayed in “Change” spoke to the representation they held in their time. The two people who represented slavery didn’t have a voice, but without their actions, and their survival, we wouldn’t have Barack Obama where he is today. What did they really have at their disposal at that given moment in time when they were brought to a new land, stripped of all their rights, all their freedoms, not even being able to communicate with their native tongue? What was the only thing they really had in their hearts? They had the instinct to survive!
When you start reading about the biographies of each of these people, there was something within them that was represented in their lives, and that’s what Frederick Douglas always talked about, agitating, and that’s what he did. It’s interesting when you think about one word, like when you think about Donald Trump. He is real estate and no matter what else he talks about or does in his life you are always going to think real estate. So I looked at Sojourner Truth and the fact that her mission in life was to tell the truth of her journey. I tried to find the one word she and Douglas lived and shared.
“This is where I was inspired to dig deeper and do some research. I always thought that the statue of the Greek Goddess of the Underworld, Persephone, represented harvest. It was very eye-opening to learn about a slave completing the placement of the statue on top of the White House. The whole controversy of Jefferson Davis not wanting Thomas Crawford to put a liberty cap representing a freed slave on the statue, but allowing an American Eagle helmet was disturbing to say the least! On the other hand, learning about this filled me with gratitude for my ancestors and what I have today!” -Blane shares his feelings
The day Obama was being inaugurated I learned about and chose the statue of freedom. “If you think about one word that represents the United States it’s freedom!” When I heard the same story that day, that the White House was built by slaves and that it was the slave owner that completed the Statue of Freedom and put it on top of the White House the irony of it just flies to you! “Change” is the journey, it’s one story of America dealing with Barack. “The power is in the journey, the process, not the beginning or the end!”
European descendants who had freedom in America from the time of slavery to the 20th century usually came from a lack of freedom in their own countries, which may have included religious, economic or speech, and then of course women didn’t come into their own freedom until the 20th century. So in this particular case it was still freedom of another sort in a cultures journey, and it may come at different times, but it is the underlining foundation of every human being to want to be free and independent.
I thought the beauty of the Freedom Statue was that, while being ironic, it also symbolized how special America is because of our ideology. It’s stunning when you read those words and it can’t help but provoke some kind of emotional response. Then you take a step back and you realize that not everybody lives up to those words. What I find most moving is the desire of this country to always strive for it. That’s what that meant for me at that moment. It was a longer journey for a particular group of people in this country, but they have also attained it. “I honestly feel that freedom is something that every human being wants. It’s universal!”
“One Nation, One Mission, One Promise” I wrote shortly after 9/11. It was in reaction to the Patriot Act and all that was going on. “The one thing that takes away people’s freedom are their fears!” Every day the people you think you’re afraid of are right next to you. What makes the United States so beautiful is that we can all walk along the same path and we’re not shooting each other. We find ways to work together, go to the movies, and shop in the same mall. We do all of these things and maybe we go to our homes differently not inviting anyone in, but we find a way to live in harmony and I think that’s what we remember. “We are truly leaders of the free world because people from all over the world in every culture reside in America! That’s the point I wanted people to walk away with.”
Don’t be afraid of somebody, don’t be afraid to talk to them, because if you take away all the politics, all the religion, all the packaging, and all the junk at the end of the day it’s okay. So what’s your favorite food? Who’s your favorite celebrity? What’s your favorite music? What’s your favorite color? We all want the same thing: Freedom, Happiness, Joy, Laughter, and most of all Love. That’s what I wanted people to think about, how great this country is and that we all could live side by side in it.
“Fear Takes Away Freedom!”
“When we are aware that each moment of each day, each gesture and step we take is truly mystical and full of wonder, we will live our lives with greater thought and care. We will also have greater respect and appreciation for the lives of others.” -Daisaku IKeda
End of Part 4 of 4
Victoria Medina is the founder and photograhic artist of Numina Images Gallery.
Blane Charles is an author, designer and wellness consultant. Blane has ten years of experience working abroad in Canada, Europe, Japan and South Africa, and eight years experience as an Evening Wear specialist / Personal Shopper at Barneys NY. Blane has become his clients’ “Secret Weapon!“
Open, Liberate, Revive your Life through customized management of your wardrobe and interiors. Contact Blane Charles today at info@beautbyblane.com.
