I Am America
For the first time in American history there will be a Democratic Party Candidate for President who is either a Black male or a White female running against a White male Republican Party Candidate. Never mind the hate speech both Clinton and Obama have sparked by their bid for the nomination.
I can now tell my son that this is America where little boys and girls, of any race or religion, can grow up to be President ( I hope).
America is a land of diversity and of contradiction.
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I am America.
I am Black
and White
I am Asian
and Hispanic
I am Native American
and I am multi racial
I am obese
and anorexic
I am old
and young
I work and
I am unemployed
I have a home
and I live under a bridge
I am wealthy
and poor
I am corporate
and small business
I am female and male
gay, lesbian and bi sexual
I am Transgender
and Transsexual
I am Christian
and Muslim
I am Jewish
and Hindu
I am all religion
and no religion at all
I am urban
and rural
I am educated
and a drop out
I am a winner
and a loser
I am sober
and an addict
I am a citizen
and an alien
I am a voter
and disenfranchised
I am healthy
and I am sick
I have hope
and I am filled with despair
I am a buyer
and a seller
I am a giver
and a user
I am free
and imprisoned
I am silent
and I am loud
I will kill you
and protect you
I am loved
and hated
I am America.
kseriphyn
This is an awesome insight. Brilliant.
bodymechanic
great set of images with ur writing HB, lets hope hilary or obama get in and change the world!
mychaelalchemy
wow, this was a great tour
Juilee Pryor
this is a really nice message of hope….. it could also be ‘I am the World’.....nicely done Helen
demon
Brilliant Helen…what a great view of all aspects you have portrayed…I think though…not only America but the world…magnificent compilation…
kathleen
Helen, you are a voice that needs to be heard louder… this is touching and I know is true… peace to the nation you live in… it will bring peace everywhere… :-)
Jim Caldwell
You brought me to tears.
God bless
Gregory John O...
17 years ago I asked my 8 year old nephew who was the greatest threat to world peace. He replied America.
shayne2011
truly astounding and epic! Bravo Ms Bascom! The words and pictures make for a very moving journey. Gawds bless your country, I am sure its people deserve so much more than they have been dished for the last decade. bodymechanic, I think the world has had more than enough of the US’ ‘world changes’, just do us a favour and make out we’re not here.
H M Bascom replied
I tried to end on a note of hope. I’m thinking of turning this into a montage.
Caroline (KARO...
great statements!thank you!
RichardV
Great work Helen.
mkl .
a true statement of genuine love for your country and its’ profound ailments. Helen, absolutely heart-wrenching and provocative social commentary. Thank you for sharing this.
Wendy Slee
Helen, this brought tears to my eyes….this is not just America, this is our world.
What a powerful and gut wrenching statement on where humanity has ended up in the so-called “civilized” nation! How did we get to this? And where do we go from here…..
H M Bascom replied
I ended the series of photos with my little Malcolm so happy and running in a field. This image carries with it a message of hope.
As long as there is hope . . . .
Wendy Slee
Always Helen, always! so long as people like you and I, can see the need of others, and help in any small way, even if through our artworks, then there is always hope…....humanity always has a glimmer of hope and your little Malcolm;s image is very symbolic of where our hope lies….
Crespuscular
Well said. Maybe one day we’ll all have a political system that is designed to include the majority (the poor) in its considerations.
pat oubridge
This is fantastic Helen
H M Bascom replied
I suppose this is just my attempt at trying to explain what my work is all about.
Mark Gardner
Super words, and really could apply to any country, does anyone really have a sense of belonging any more
shayne2011
You are quite right, Wendy Slee, I’ve done an awful lot of work with sick people over the last 30 years, and whether it was those with HIV or addicts in despair, I always found that somewhere, deep down, there is a tint light, like a candle flame, that just wants to grow. No one or thing is ever hopeless, people always want, deep down, to get better.
:)
And helen, again, thank you for what is one of the most moving and impressive pieces I’ve ever seen on this site.
shayne2011
tint light = ‘tinY light’ :)
Susan Grissom
very moving and beautifully done Sista
Kelly J
Wonderfully done – with passon that is obvious. Beautiful Helen – as has been said this applies to the world we live in. With enough voice – changes can happen….. LOVE YOUR WORK…
:) K And god Malcolm is so cute!
pryere
Well done
HenkStolk
Hi Helen,
The photos are great.
However… reading it all, it looks America is in balance…
Is it?
Henk
H M Bascom replied
If by “balance” you mean for every evil there is a good, then technically, maybe. Balance? No. Even one homeless person, one hungry child, is wrong. Where there is hate and prejudice, there can be no true freedom.
Jaybe
An awesome piece of work.
Alex Moir
Amen.
Vim Lowenstein
Thats pretty strong. I love that image of ‘blood money’. It reminded me of the image I had last night part way through the book No Country For Old Men, which for an Australian like me takes a while to get used to the southern language, but it has a scene of dollar bills drenched in Moss’ blood from being shot at it struck me as did your peice of work
Ashley DeRossett
Mother- you are truly a wonder to behold. I love this very much! You continue to impress me. I only hope I do the same for you. This would make a Great calander for the year. Without hope I would not even wake in the morning. I hope America changes for the better.
H M Bascom replied
My dearest Ashley, the most impressive thing I have ever done (or ever will do) was to have a beautiful, intelligent, and awesome daughter like you. :-) It is you who impress me.
Jboo09
Great words, pictures, and sentiment. We are truly a diverse nation!
Ruben Flanagan...
wonderful Helen, I want you to be the next Prez of the US
H M Bascom replied
Ruben, I am far too young to run for Prez. :-D
amarica
This is so well put, excellent, bravo Helen
Paul Louis Vil...
Wow Helen! What an amazng body of work! :D
mlgkats
wow such powerful words, great writing and great photos
Sally Omar
Absolutely awesome…words …. photos….incredible…Sally xxoo
Susan Epps Oliver
Just excellent, Helen :)
littleredplanet
wonderful and moving. It really ties your photos and convictions together.
Ushna Sardar
utterly amazing Helen!
Lauren Lynch
really great message and illustration of ideas and thoughts.
JenniferB
Brilliant… mmm… I wonder what ‘I Am New Zealand’ would look like? Got me thinking…
Miron Abramovici
Beautiful and very moving!
JohnScott
this isn’t american, it’s human
RMonroe
This piece gave me chills and goosebumbs. Fantastic! Here’s to HOPE:)
tagbruns
amen
Incognita
The biggest contradiction about the US (because after all, it isn’t America per se) is that money speaks (slightly) louder than either gender or race there. So Helen, yes, your son can be president… as long as you give him or he somehow manages to gouge several million dollars to run… to become a candidate. Then he’ll need to be bought off by big business before he will get to sit in the oval office…
H M Bascom replied
:-) Hello Incognita, it’s been a while since we’ve chatted. As always you are the voice of hope. Ha Ha.
dogfish
no oxymorons here then?
OpenWounds
love it. its the whole truth of america
Good job
liciouspoet
hey this is brillant…....you’ve got talent for the truth, just wish politicians did….:) great job…love the work…keep it up…
SUPER INSITE!!!!!!!:)
always, liciouspoet,
xoxo
LetThemEatArt
Brilliant piece.
I mentally added:
“I’m a smoker”
“I’m a toker…”
H M Bascom replied
Ha Ha, I never considered that it would come across like Space Cowboys. Thanks.
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a midnight toker
I sure don’t want to hurt no one
Space Cowboys
Suzanne German
WOW Helen – jsut read this now – absolutely fantastic – can’t imagine a better description!
congratulations – you’ve hit it so beautifully and elqoquently on the head!
straight to my favourites!
Suzanne
Rheenie
Wow sorry thats all I can say is wow I cant think of a better word to describe what you have captured
Cvail73
I like that :)
SreyaWU
Amazing Words and Images.
smeg
great contrasts, america is a great country with such diversity, you have captured that essence.
GreenWitch
WOW! Wonderful writing! Great pictures!
4242
I am a random comment.