Cafes / invasions / continents apart
Top: These guys in Basra, southern Iraq, were surprised but gracious when a woman (an American one at that) with a big camera strolled into their cafe. It was 21 years ago, almost to the day, just before the US invasion. Although everyone knew war was looming and would be world-changing, most Iraqis felt there was nothing they could do to stop it. So they went on living ordinary lives for as long as they could.
Below: As these men gathered in a Bay Ridge cafe a few days ago, another invasion is raging—this time of Gaza by Israel. This Brooklyn neighborhood was dotted with signs condemning the violence and calling for immediate ceasefire, and for action in the form of boycotts and marches. One sign in a market promised that no dates, especially prized during upcoming Ramadan, were from Israel.
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"ordinary life" is such a privilege!
Your "opposables" always to speak to me and I'm thankful you travelled so much and took so many powerful photographs. And also that you had the idea of setting up this series.