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Kitwe,
I have to write, as I am a long way from my support network of
friends and family. I feel that I am cursed to be able to feel so
much. Yeah, I know there are many that see us photojournalists as
macho romantics, but the years are catching up with me. It’s
the age old question of what difference will my work make. There
is this dream I have had since I was a teenager (silly as it sounds).
I wish I had lots of money and influence to be able to buy up several
billboards and TV airtime in New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago,
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dayton, Ohio, and Atlanta so I may place
a simple ad stating that millions continue to die of AIDS in Africa.
I can’t help asking myself: is it because they are black and
poor? I would continue the ad campaign just like the rich and powerful
advertising agencies do for months and years on end to indoctrinate
us into buying the latest SUVs and run the ads in movie theaters.
The way the US military does whenever they want to recruit our young
for war. Oh yes, I know that this is just pure idealism, but I need
to make myself dream as it helps me get through the sorrow and pain
of how we in the west continue to let humanity suffer.
Joseph Rodriguez
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by Joseph Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a self-employed photojournalist. Exhibitions of his
work have been featured throughout the United States as well as
in Mexico, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and France. He also
has been recognized by the National Press Photographers Association
and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. For
the book East Side Stories: Gang Life in East LA, Rodriguez
spent three years photographing life in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
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