The Arc Has Begun to Bend

Today is Wednesday the 21st, the day after Obama's inauguration, and three days before I depart on my trip. I want to just send a shout out to Obama for his inclusion of the following line in his speech: "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

As an American who is about to travel abroad, and specifically to a Muslim nation (Bangladesh) I want to offer my deepest gratitude to our new President for taking seriously what it means to be commander and chief of the most powerful country in the world. His top priorities in international relations should be: compassion, the ability to listen and try to see from different vantages, and above all the strength to nurture peace using diplomacy all around the globe, not just in the Western world.

The last time I was in India I often cringed when admitting that I was American, now for the fist time I can (almost) proudly say I am American. Although we have a long way to go, our moral arc is finally beginning to bend towrds justice! Thank you Mr. Obama, now get to work and bend that arc firmly. You may face criticism but know your critics are the few who benefit from the world staying full of injustice. I hope you make me proud some day, to know that we began to fix what our last eight years has broken, maybe the rest of the world can now feel like we are slightly more fit for the task ahead of 'fixing America' and in that shifting the world.

Project Enterpise, a few photographs

Gabriel, Ole Soul Bakery

While in New York this fall I worked with a micro-finance organization called Project Enterprise. I met with four of their entrepreneurs and took their portraits, we talked about their chosen businesses, past employment, and life. Overwhelmingly I found that the people I met with made the choice to leave the traditional professional world of jobs that stifled them, which they were not passionate about, and work with Project Enterprise in order to start a business that would allow them to pursue what they love. The welcoming kindness of all the people I met with was amazing; I had never met them before and they welcomed me into their homes and their daily lives to let me take these photographs. I am grateful for that gift and I hope that my photos will be able to reflect my the honor that I felt that they let me join their lives and see their triumphs and passions pursued.


Baked Sweet Potato



Bridgette, Kings Pet Care Service

After the Walk

House Keys

only the beginning...

I now have a blog. that is pretty freaking cool. thank you oona.