Diversity, Westerstraat Market, the Jordaan, Amsterdam.
Shrouded.
Waiting in line.
"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." - Anne Frank
"Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one's own way to the highest, to one's own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one's ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication." - Algernon Black
"Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival." - Rene Dubos
My thoughts keep returning to this topic and images and what fascinates me is the lack of representation of men. My husband once asked one of our close Indian friends as to what is the cultural clothing for men of India and why does he not wear them. He replied it is just not practical. After researching the items he spoke about I was somewhat convinced. This makes me think that women are usually maintaining traditions.
I am curious if anyone can offer any books or websites that document the history of the chador and other middle eastern cultural clothing that relates directly to culture sans religions. Unfortunately, what I have read only relates it to rule of law and religion, particularly in Iran.
Posted by: urbanartiste | 30 July 2009 at 04:14
Your posts are always interesting and thought-provoking, Tara.
Diversity gives us the opportunity to discover Life in new ways. The woman in the chador (I hope I am spelling that correctly), facing towards us in the first photograph, looks like a beautiful sculpture, doesn't she? Or a painting. It's the way her chador is moving...
Posted by: susanna's sketchbook | 29 July 2009 at 16:08
Love these words. Very much. ;)
:)
Posted by: amber | 27 July 2009 at 04:13
Spectacular photographs!!
Oh YES!!
I love diversity~
Makes life so interesting!!
Dear Tara,
Thank you for my kind birthday wishes.
I hope Davids daughter had a happy day on the 20th too!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 26 July 2009 at 05:23
While, as a woman, I cringe at all the head-to-toe covering, and especially on a hot, humid summer's day, I also cringe at the near-nudity (and bad taste) I see daily, probably more so than total covering.
Posted by: Colette | 25 July 2009 at 19:33
~ speechless.
Yes.
I grew up in a French Mexican Spanish Argentinian family. Who knows what else underlies my being. Maybe other places live within me as well.
I didn't kow about discrimination until I went to college. "Yyyyyour Mexican????" people would ask.
They would say all sorts of things about "Mexicans" in front of me. I was floored. So, I sort of know a tiny bit of the feeling, of being judged.
The generaliations are what amaze me the most.
Hear hear to the highest on your quotes...
xoxoxox
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 25 July 2009 at 02:32
Thanks for this post. I have friends and loved ones from all different cultures, races, ethnicity, etc. etc. It amazes me yet, that the general culture still do not accept people as human beings, unique, different and beautiful in and of themselves. There is undeniable biases against many in the Muslim or Arab world. Some may feel justified by I have always been taught to treat others as I would like to be treated, without qualification.
One Love.
Posted by: Se'Lah | 24 July 2009 at 23:49
This clothing IS very much a part of their culture, particularly in the Gulf Arab countries and Saudi Arabia. As a woman, I don't like it either, but I have to respect their customs and traditions - and that's all it is, tradition; the Koran does not stipulate women should be covered or wear a veil. I'm sure they don't like certain aspects of our culture either, i.e. women wearing bikini tops or halter tops and cut-off shorts or very short skirts. As human beings, we will never agree on everything; we just have to respect each other's traditions and diversity.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 24 July 2009 at 19:22
I am going to very honest. As a feminist who has been ingrained to associate this type of clothing as suppresssive, it is still very shocking to me. I am not as alarmed when diverse clothing is more representative of the culture. (I am aware of the nuance of texture and materials for middle eastern women in this clothing.) It can be as plain as the Amish or as elaborate as the sari; I am not as in shock. I applaud diversity, but there is a contradiction in being open to diverse people while viewing women being hidden.
Posted by: urbanartiste | 24 July 2009 at 17:57
Thank you, my friend. I appreciate the encouraging words. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 July 2009 at 16:49
Marilyn, thank you. I was using a telephoto lens and standing quite a distance from that woman. I like the direct, challenging expression on her face.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 July 2009 at 13:31
Helen, thank you. I think I'd like living in your neighborhood!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 July 2009 at 13:30
That quote was aimed at certain political parties in the US and Europe - comprised mostly of white men - who seem incapable of fathoming that the world's population is diverse and that whether or not they agree with each other's ideas, tolerance is essential in society.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 July 2009 at 13:29
Your photos are wonderful and the sentiment is a perfect accompaniment.
I live in city block that is extremely diverse. One neighbor gardens in her beautiful veils and saris. Another is from the Caribbean and plays island music when she gardens and has lived in her house over 60 years. Two neighbors are professors; one is a Proustian scholar at Yale. Another couple is Mexican and Polish & their kids speak three languages. I love where I live--and this is just a common street New England.
Posted by: Helen | 24 July 2009 at 12:43
Love those photos!
Posted by: Marianne | 24 July 2009 at 12:19
Beautiful pics! You captured the moment beautifully!
Posted by: The Antiques Diva | 24 July 2009 at 09:28
Amen - variety's the spice of life!
Wonderful quotes & ovely photos as always, Tara~xoxo
Posted by: tinker | 24 July 2009 at 08:29
How fortuitous that an anonymous commenter at my place directed me to your post today. He/she said that we had posted along a similar vein on this subject and that I might like to check it out. I'm so glad I did! Although, I have to say that Rene Dubos' quote had me puzzled. I should hope that something more than "tolerance" should be the ideal for survival...
Posted by: Sassy Britches | 24 July 2009 at 08:06
Wonderful quotes!
Posted by: Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz | 24 July 2009 at 05:28
So perfect. The quotes the words. You are so brave and beautiful with that lens. I love it!
xo
Posted by: Christina | 24 July 2009 at 03:50
How very boring indeed if we were all the same...beautiful post Tara
Posted by: Stephanie | 23 July 2009 at 22:55
Love those quotes. And they're perfect with the photos. Lovely.
Posted by: jeanie | 23 July 2009 at 22:25
"...that people may grow in vision ..." Thas sums it up so very well. There is just something so glorious about individuality. The expression and the celebration of it is a sight for sore eyes.
Posted by: Barbara | 23 July 2009 at 19:34
I especially loved the quotes today. The pictures were fantastic also. I am not sure the one not shrouded liked having her picture taken. Wouldn't life be boring if we were all the same?
Posted by: Marilyn | 23 July 2009 at 18:31