Mental Health Behind Bars : The Grady Journal by Charles-Ryan Barber
Two places every citizen should visit to gain perspective on society: jails and landfills. I’ve made three trips to a jail in my life: the first to bail out a friend, the second to visit a co-worker, the third was a journalistic act. There aren’t too many chances to glimpse life behind bars, maybe the odd documentary on PBS or a fictionalized account in primetime. Many Americans don’t get the opportunity to even see a jail, even though these institutions touch so many aspects of our lives – landscapes, families, taxes, whatever lens you need to use. I appreciate Barber, a wonderful photographer I was lucky enough to meet at a Flagpole party, and his journey into the Madison County jail. Kudos to behind the curtain journalism.
As far as landfills go, they are the tea leaves of consumption (does that work?). I want to create a tasseography of waste. Currently, I’m brainstorming a waste beat for the region. So if any photojournalism teachers, ahem, are reading this blog post, I ask you this: if you’re sending any students out to cover landfills, recycling, etc., please notify me – I want to tag along.
(Thanks to Charles-Ryan for spell checking my headline – peeks, not peaks, and definitely not a shot at his career!)
1 Comment
January 22, 2010 at 2:47 am
Hey dude, I appreciate the mention and I totally agree that more people need to see this stuff. One question: Did you mean to say “peeks” in the title or is this a subtle joke about my career?:) Also, I’d be down to go to a landfill or two if you want. Peece!