Waiting

I waited for you my entire life, I did not know I was waiting…

but,

I was.

Since you’ve come, I see my past, our present, your future.

in your eyes…

I see your mother, perhaps that is what draws me still nearer to you, nearer than I could have ever imagined.

Happy Birthday baby girl.

SXSW 2009 Student Film Contest

Last night went to SXSW Student Film Contest Screening and saw the future of filmmaking. Besides the obsession with death and violence (it’s a teen thing) there were some amazing skills on display. Everything from stop motion animation, to mockumentary, to Cloverfield like narratives, to arthouse films.

Two of my students Sam and Steven had their movie “The Transcendence of Gabriel” screen. Sam has “it”, the eye for storytelling via film that you can’t learn. Steven is an amazing actor who can emote a tremendous range of emotions without saying a word.

I can’t wait to see what all these kids produce 10-15 years from now.

Here is a link to some pics from last night.

Call+Response Medical Supplies Needed

Justin Dillon just posted an announcement to the cause Call+Response.

As members of the 21st Century Abolitionist Movement, we have a critical opportunity to seriously help former child slaves. $1.8 Million in medical supplies are ready to be shipped to care for 174 children saved out slavery in Thailand. This shipment is full of desperately needed medicines and equipment which will be sent on March 26th, IF WE CAN RAISE $26,000 IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. That’s a $70 return for every dollar invested. [100% of all donations goes to the shipment.] We need your help.

Please respond now to get nearly $2M in medical supplies to children rescued from slavery.

LEARN HERE: http://www.callandresponse.com/giving_project_0809_nfs.html

SEE SUPPLIES HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_jMCG_jaFg

GIVE HERE: https://donate.callandresponse.org/page/contribute/sf_fundraising_event

And don’t forget to add an “I Gave” widget to facebook page and challenge your friends to join the team of responders. http://www.clearspring.com/widgets/4900d1aaa4288756 With our gratitude for your partnership, The Call+Response Team

Political Heroes

From today’s Austin American Statesman, “Report: Homeless kids fare worst in Texas“

Texas is the worst place in the nation for homeless children, and the faltering economy will push even more families with little ones into the streets, according to a new report. A study released Tuesday by the National Center on Family Homelessness placed Texas 50th—last of all states—in how homeless children fare….the child poverty level in Texas is 23 percent.

Think about that number, 23 PERCENT, that’s almost 1 in 4!

In comparison, last night the Texas Senate spent last night wringing it’s hands over what to do about the non-crisis of voter fraud. As the Dallas Morning Stated

“Chalk up the Texas Senate’s nearly 24-hour wrangle over voter IDs as crass politics trumping thoughtful public policy.

Proponents of the so-called voter ID bill wanted to make a point to the political base back home: We won’t let liars and cheats steal elections in Texas.”

They really don’t give a damn about where these kids sleep, they would rather spend our money and their valuable time on matters that really do not matter, chasing what does not exist in the name of political expediency…

Here is a contact list for these idiots opportunists/politicians/public servants, give them a call/email/piece of your mind on priorities.

Fathers and Daughters

I could not see it coming, and now I can not imagine it without.

I wonder about the fathers who know this bracket of emotions, but what they experience is not joy.
Because they are suffering at the hands of the oppressor, a being so evil they know not life without its presence.

It matters to them what we buy, who purchase from, and it seems like a small thing, inconsequential. But, it’s not to those fathers and daughters who do not experience what most of us take for granted.

http://www.slavefree.info/

http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/carlmc/27-million-slaves/

Making Bricks

This picture is taken from a site established by the State Department who commissioned one of their photographers to find these stories and document. I want to capture these stories, but I also want to use celebrities and business leaders to help bring awareness to the general public, to the victims, and to the corporations and governments that we the people will not stand for this, will not buy their products, will not support their leadership unless they do the right thing.  Please help me with this idea by voting for my project at http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/carlmc/27-million-slaves/

A 9-year-old girl toils under the hot sun, making bricks from morning to night, seven days a week. She was trafficked with her entire family from Bihar, one of the poorest and most underdeveloped states in India, and sold to the owner of a brick-making factory. With no means of escape, and unable to speak the local language, the family is isolated and lives in terrible conditions.

Photo and text courtesy of Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department. http://www.gtipphotos.state.gov/

27 Million Slaves

I have just registered for a photography project that with your help could help reduce slavery in the world. Please go to and read about my idea and then vote for me.

Allyson had dress up day on friday, and more than a costume this moment captures her personality.