Characters Welcome

Today I get to play "the proud mom" role. Last Fall, our family was invited by photographer Marla Rutherford to attend her photo shoot for a project that she was working on in conjunction with the USA television network for their "Characters Welcome" campaign. She shot the family all together and then each of us separately. A few months later we got notice that two of the photos (one of Shea and one of Brynn) from our shoot were chosen for the book portion of the project entitled "American Character: A Photographic Journey." With the forward written by Tom Brokaw, the book celebrates "the extraordinary people from all walks of life who make this country what it is."

We just received our copy of this beautiful hardback book this afternoon and I quickly snapped up some photos to show off my kiddos. Brokaw has been on numerous television programs promoting the book and a few weeks ago there was a gallery show in New York City featuring Marla's photos. In May, that portrait presentation will move to a Los Angeles gallery, which we will be attending and are quite excited about.

The book is available on Amazon or at any major bookstore. It features eleven outstanding photographers and is a delightful peek inside the diverse lives of "the characters" all around us.

Without further adieu, here are a few glimpses inside the book, beginning with the page featuring my kiddos.

Winx, Jinxi

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BFFs

Animals are amazing.

So are friendships.

As the narrator says at the end of the piece: "Pay attention, world! If they can do it, what's our excuse?"

Enjoy!

Winx, Jinxi

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Hoping for Justice

On Wednesday night, Steve, Aidan and I drove to Riverside to attend one of 28 candlelight vigils  in California to unite in solidarity and send a unified message, on the eve before the California Supreme Court Justices were to hear the oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8.

Inland Empire equality seekers turned out in great numbers and we participated in a passionate march around the streets of Downtown Riverside.  I saw many old friends and met many new ones.  It was wonderful to be in the company of people that believe in justice for everyone; regardless of the gender they happen to love.

 At the end of the vigil, we all sang "This Little Light of Mine."  (awwww...how cute are we, right?)

The hearings were quite interesting.  I came away hopeful, yet a bit apprehensive at being too confident.  If you didn't hear the oral arguments and would like to, you can hear it here just click on "MP3 Broadcast of March 5th Hearings."

In a Time.com article, it was pointed out the reservations of two of the justices who helped to create the gay marriage historic decision.  Justice Joyce L. Kennard said, "You would have us choose between these two rights: the inalienable right to marry and the right of the people to change their constitution. You ask us to willy-nilly disregard the right of the people to change the constitution of the state of California. But all political power is inherent in the people of California." 

However, I believe that the majority is not always equipped to make decisions for society as a whole.  That would be a tyranny of the majority and place the majority's interests above all else. It is still essential that decisions must remain Constitutional and judgment must distinguish those which are reasonable and fair from those which are tyrannical, unfair, and intolerable to the minority.  It is essential that tyrannical laws are prevented from being passed and this is what I hope the California Supreme Court remembers.

The Federalist Papers contain many references to the "tyranny of the majority."  In Federalist Paper 51, James Madison wrote: "It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure."  Think of the damage that could be done if the majority always "ruled."  The Founding Fathers were mindful of the principal that the majority cannot simply do away with the rights of the minority.  I hope that the justices of the California SC remember this basic fundamental.  We shall know in 90 days; hopefully sooner.  Until then, keep those "little lights" shining.  


Over & Out, j-boo

 

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