Friday, February 11, 2005

On Assignment: Franklin, North Carolina-Day Three


"Down On The Corner" by Wes Aldridge

This is a sight that makes me happy. In Nashville, you can look on the corner of 21st Avenue and Wedgewood when any political event is occurring and see masses of protesters. When I drove by the Macon County Courthouse in the small town of Franklin, N.C., I saw John Womack and his wife JoAnn, from left, Trish Severin and Doug Woodward exercising their First Amendment rights, standing shoulder to shoulder visually sounding their "Voices of Peace."

John said some people can't understand or get confused about his involvement with "Voices of Peace." He said his protest is not really one of anti-war, he is "more interested in working for peace." He said he doesn't understand why more people aren't trained in peace, like soldiers are trained for war. He said imagine what might happen if the money pumped into the war in Iraq was used to train soldiers in peace instead. John's point is an interesting one to listen to.

Sometimes in the smaller communities that I shoot magazines in, I wonder if these people know another world exists outside their city's limits. Today, as motorists drove by honking their horns and giving the four demonstrators the occassional "thumbs up" sign, the awareness and political interest of a sleepy little town was evident. I love to see people exercising their rights as a free-speaking citizen of this country.

SIDENOTE: Arthur Miller, a great writer who penned such amazing classics as "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible," has died today. Review his works, pass on his ideals and let his legacy continue.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed meeting you today Wes, and I like your photographs of Franklin. You have seen parts of our fair city that most of us who live here have not seen. Perhaps this is another aspect of the photographer's art - this finding of the hidden treasure and sharing it with all of us. Our lives are thus enriched by finding the things we did not think to look for. John.

Wes Aldridge said...

John, I enjoyed getting to know your city. Every day is an adventure in my life as a photographer. I just want to share the things I see with everyone else.