25 Seconds...

I tend to be judgmental, sometimes to the point of being prejudicial, not so much in a raced based manner, more in the way of stereotyping people. Everyone does it, it's part of sizing people up, it saves both time and kinda lures you into a false sense of confidence- you are a man of the world who knows how it works and are a good judge of character and your fellow man! 

Unfortunately, I probably (undoubtedly) get it more often wrong than right, something I have to constantly remind myself- particularly because I-so-hate when people pigeon hole me. So I really kinda love when I get it so wrong and people surprise the shit outta me- in a positive way! Like this guy, or...

Struggle at El Museo Del Barrio

One of the places I was going to approach about possibly donating my photo book collection was El Museo del Barrio, which was originally formed in East Harlem as a source to serve and foster the then mainly Puerto Rican community's art needs, needs not necessarily met by other more privileged institutions in other parts of the city. Actually, I was in a group show there (with En Foco) in the latter '70s before it relocated to its permanent location.  

Recently, El Museo's original mission statement seems to have changed or evolved, some would say... mutated or gentrified. It is now considerably more vested in the competing art world of more well heeled and international art interests, yet another victim of New York's hyper gentrification. Obviously, neither art nor contemporary art institutions can or should remain stick in the mud icons to days past, but there should be some allegiance to its original raison d'etre of community service, while still managing to forge ahead into exploring new territories- why must it always be presented and executed as either/or? 

Bottom line... look elsewhere.

Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities

 

Quote: © Voltaire     Photo: © Stan Banos

Ya gotta give credit, where credit is due, and Donald Trump is the epitome of just how far people will not only tolerate and excuse, but ultimately reward and even praise... stupidity, if only in the name of racism (the latter just one of the shallowest and most obvious manifestations of the former).

I was thinking of posting on how Trump was surprised to learn that Britain was a nuclear power when he visited with Theresa May, or about the question that each and every reporter should keep asking each and every day until fully addressed and answered:

"Why do you keep hiring people you say are wackos or liars?"

But this complete ARROGANCE SUPREME takes the cake for today... All Day!

I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous. It’s actually an important event, an important time. But nobody had ever heard of it.    -Little Donnie Dotard 

Nevertheless, let's all end on the ever lovin' good foot on this day of celebration with my now favorite Karen moment- of which there are many, with many sure to come. It's short, all too predictable- but 2:15 makes it all worthwhile! Peace...

Time To... Listen!

Photo: © Stan Banos

E-M-P-A-T-H-Y...

 Empathy- the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

This is what it looks like, this it what it sounds like... someone honestly, fervently trying to put themselves in someone else's shoes- and realizing the task a worthwhile and honorable one, even if the end game is never totally achievable. It's people like this, not those "in power" that give me some modicum of hope; and humble as they are, few as they may be- they are out there...

Fierce Freddie and Co...

I don't often go here, but being that we currently exist in a 'situation' in which people are actually saying (with a serious face), "In these uncertain times," we'll make the exception this one time, since we all could use a bit of the positive at this point!

I really hate little itty-bitty, ootsie-cutsie lap dogs. But this one's something special unto herself. So ugly, she's cute- so absolutely loving and downright overjoyed just to be alive... she's every bit a star, a fighter, and then some!

But wait- there's even more in our one time, one day tribute to all those special, when even the big dogs have a special place in their heart...

The Last Black Man in San Francisco

It's hard to distinguish if The Last Black Man in SF is a fairy tale based in reality, or reality based upon a fairy tale. The movie starts out with some delightful visuals before settling down to its basic story line which tangentially includes a whole lot of what is and has been going down in San Francisco. The main characters are far from the portrayals of young Black men you're used to seeing on the big screen, which in and of itself makes interesting viewing. 

The editing could have been tighter, and towards the end, the movie seemed as if it didn't quite know when to end- but in all fairness, that simply could have been because any sense of ventilation was absent in our theater, the air becoming increasingly hot, stagnant and oppressive, to the point I began anticipating a possible medical emergency situation (perhaps my own) any second...

AT THE FAIR!

Usually, I hate, Hate, HATE when someones mugs for the camera. But this guy brings a smile to my face every time. From the tip of his Super Hero mask and goggles (complete with nostril harness), to the wires that appear to run from small battery packs on either hip, right to the very base of his winky- and let's not forget those complementary matching doilies on either side! Not sure what the calligraphy signifies- but one BIG Thumbs Up!

HURRY! HURRY!! HURRY!!! That's right folks, years in the making; forget the rumors, threats and back door dealings- this is

 The Photo Event everyone's been waiting on...

OK, OK, so it's a goddang BLURB- how excited can one get? Yeah, it is, what it is. That said, I'm kinda thrilled to see just how well these guys stand up all assembled under the same roof! After repeated rejections over the years of trying to get any of 'em published, it's good to see that they most certainly... Represent! 

Granted, AT THE FAIR may not exactly be everyone's cup o' tea. But content matter aside, these images live up to the aesthetic considerations that go into any "good" or "serious" photograph- and humorous as some may well be (and I did tend to edit towards the lighter side), I think there's an obvious stretch of humanity that runs throughout the series. I'm neither Gay, nor into S&M- but if you can't step back and see just a wee bit of yourself in the continuing insanity that is the human race, you're either neck deep in denial or just not a very fun person to begin with...

Not sure what either of their super powers would be, but I'd definitely see the movie!  Photos: © Stan Banos

PetaPixel's Celebration of Misogyny...

The following is my emailed response to a post (and ensuing commentary) on Petapixel concerning... "Diversity!" 
I hope the present situation does not stand...   Full Disclosure: I have been banned on PetaPixel.

Well done! A post on "Diversity" featuring what seems an all male commentary who go out of their way to prove just how marvelously close minded and/or misogynist they truly are- and not one of them (or y-o-u) can even see, let alone respond to, that most blatant of irony!!!

And it seems the one woman who commented earlier has had her comments deleted- Exceptionally well done!!!

I don't know what she said to offend your official board of "ethics," but I'm betting she finally mouthed off after repeatedly getting pummeled by the usual torrent of misogynists who inhabit your bit of bandwidth.  The comments I previously read by her (before deletion) were logical, well mannered and on topic...

Thank you, for leading by example and exhibiting just how hostile an all male environment can become for women....

Addendum: More comments have appeared overnight, a couple fortunately sane...