"Crime is the price society pays for abandoning character."
- James Q. Wilson, American political scientist and co-creator of the “broken windows theory”.
In my last photography project, I completed 52 weekly blog posts about addiction and recovery from my experience and perspective. I recognized oftentimes during the effort that I was safely exploring and revealing myself. I avoided topics that could be controversial or invite disagreement, perhaps even scorn. Still, the project was a success for me!
In this current photography project, "Creativity52", I started on the safe path, committed to sharing my thoughts and experience about being creative. This week, I am going to be more honest about a rather broad and deep problem that impacts my ability to be creative. I believe that crime and violence make our public spaces unsafe and unsavory.
As part of my seriousness in progressing my photography, I have recently organized a Meetup group, specifically for joining together people to visit areas for picture taking in the city and around the metro area. I’m intending to take groups of like-minded creatives to local area parks, wildlife refuges, city districts and landmarks, and other areas providing opportunities for photographers. So that I can be a confident leader and guide for each event, if I have not visited a location previously, I scout the location for suitability.
There are public spaces in the city and surrounding area that I am extremely uncomfortable taking a group of people to for an enjoyable experience. In the last two weeks, I have walked the Willamette River to view the bridges a couple of times and to plan group walks. For me, a beautiful activity if I look past the vandalism and tagging. But, in the days following my walks, there were local news reports of violent acts, beatings, and murders, that occurred along my planned routes.
Here is a recent news article of the current state of violence at Portland’s Waterfront:
This morning, I visited Cathedral Park under the St. Johns Bridge, and while walking the park shortly after sunrise, thinking this would be a great location, rapid gunshots broke out nearby. When I was close to ending my walk, I saw police arriving to investigate the gunfire and a car that had been the target.
I hesitate to encourage fellow photographers, with expensive equipment, to drive out to local hiking destinations due to the number of car break-ins and thefts. I have been to many trailheads in Forest Park and seen evidence of broken auto glass. These break-ins occur at busy locations and in broad daylight. I am reluctant to take anything but my phone or a single small camera out for public excursions, because my equipment may invite nefarious intent.
Based on the above experiences, I will take groups to some questionable areas, as there is safety in numbers. But I will not suggest to others that they go solo without knowing the risk. Some people may consider me fearful for shying away from activities and locations that invite crime. But many people in my community of photographers are women and seniors that I would not put at risk by suggesting a laissez-faire attitude.
I am not providing a solution to our current crime climate, but I do believe that ineffectual leadership, unenforced laws, and lack of real consequences for committing crime leave our public spaces unattractive and dangerous.
Broken windows beget more broken windows!
My next post may continue with thoughts on things that impact my creativity.
Creativity belongs to all of us and is unique to each of us. Finding the spur or the spark for a new creative interest, reaching a higher skill level, or discovering a new direction for an existing creative interest can guide us on the creative path.
Discover your creative passions, enter your creative zones, and take pride in your efforts and results. Listen and learn with an open mind from valuable critique. Above all, give yourself the freedom to create and then create with freedom!
I invite feedback from readers for different perspectives on creativity. Please use the comments feature at the bottom of this post, if desired.
If my writings in this photography project can benefit anyone on their creative journey, I am proud to be of service!
I enjoy such subjects for photography.
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