We carry images in our heads and those images influence us every day of our lives. Since June of 2010, I have been communicating regularly with a young man about the influences of images on our lives. The great thing about our talks over these past months is that I have this image in my head of Morad. That affable grin of his comes immediately to mind when I hear the ping that signals "I'm here online" call from him and I am immediately transformed because that smile--well, it got me immediately. So, over the months that he and I dialogued, communicated, got to know one another--those initial images that stuck in our minds have become so much more. He's more than friend, the guy from the Middle East. He's family and together we've created this project called "1000 Kalema"---One Thousand Words in Arabic, a photographic competition we designed to change the world.
What does this project mean to me? Well, it is an example of intergenerational collaboration. I wish sometimes that I had captured Morad's and my talks on tape. I'm considered his mentor, but in truth--we mentor each other. We have learned that we can talk about everything and anything--and we do. We have found that there are many similarities--the birth of his brother in February and the adoption of my grandson in April. Both babies are the same age (only a few days apart) and the power of their innocence is why we do what we do. We have shared our fears and hopes--and we have shared ideas that have blossomed into some powerful work. And it is powerful because we did it together, across those lines, barriers that said we couldn't and we said -- YES WE CAN! and now --- YES WE ARE!
We are an example of working across faith lines, cultural barriers and yes, we have ideas about the roles of men and women, too. We are showing that it can be done and while it seemed that it was slow starting, today we can show that 1000 Kalema exhibits will be in several countries by the end of 2012. People are tuning in and they are getting the message about the power of imaging--the storytelling, the sharing of narratives--that help us to understand one another. We are offering an opportunity for the world to share their stories through images and words, so join us at 1000 Kalema. Next week we will announce our international cast of judges who, like Morad and myself, cross a plethora of humanity. Stay tune for more. Oh, in the meantime, get out your cameras (or your photo albums where a picture may already have been taken) and send it to us at [email protected]. For more information go to www.1000kalema.org. The competition started on February 7th in honor of World Interfaith Harmony Week and ends on the International Day of Peace (September 21st), but don't delay!
Peace. PK
