We The People, The Timothy Clarke Story

We The People The Timothy Clark Story This is a story about an individual that was a victim of a hate crime, it’s intent is to make his story public, and put into discussion the American Narrative. His story is unique, however not to the history of bigotry and racism in this country. This series is meant to spark the question that is obvious to some but not to others. What has changed since the Emancipation Proclamation? What has changed since the Declaration of Independence or first Constitution? Why after so much struggle does this country remain at a stand still on how “some” see people that are different than they are with such negativity. This story tells us about the night of the attempted murder of a black man Timothy Clark by multiple white men. The quick apprehension, trial and sentencing of only one the men. The consequences of the courts lack of justice and the determination for Tim to succeed and not remain a victim. The meaning of the work it’s not just about one thing. It’s to get people talking and questioning themselves, to others, to make people open their eyes a bit wider. To get Timothy some Justice, and to start a dialog about the American Narrative. The 160 year old photo process that I chose to use to make the set and the connection to the civil war. The particulars of each image, seeing beauty in the flag but not being able to look past the scars and portrait. One is forced to question themselves in some way. Even if they don’t like it. To identify, to sympathize, and see yourself in the work in some ways is my goal. The date of release, July 4th is symbolic. I felt that within the celebration of “our” countries independence, we look at where we can improve on our definition of equal rights. That we might see this so called independence has been held back for some. This needs to change. "Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.” Walter Anderson On October 30th, 2015, in Palmdale, C.A., a group of five people at a Halloween party that Tim was leaving attacked, stabbed and beat him. Tim was stabbed in the chest, puncturing his left lung, from one that came from behind. The man stabbed his right bicep, dragging the knife down and around his arm while calling him racial names. The aftermath resulted in Tim almost losing his right arm, loosing much of it’s function. He’s still shooting photography with his other arm even though he’s right handed. over $300K in medical fees, only $200 a month from disability. The man that stabbed Tim was caught and put to trial. The other four were not pursued. They did not charge him with a hate crime and sentenced him in a speedy trial to nine years. As we all can guess, this did not go well for Tim. This felon will likely not serve the whole nine years if he behaves. He showed no remorse what so ever when Tim was allowed to confront him in the court room. Tim has moved from the area and is trying to move forward. There has never been a time in American History that black lives have mattered equally as whites. For the survival of a "United States" this must change at the base of peoples minds living within this country. I hope this will happen in my lifetime. Where we need not fight for the rights of those less fortunate or that have simply been oppressed.