Segregation 25/52 - a photo on Flickriver

Segregation 25/52

In the wake of a major world event in the UK and on the heels of a potentially catastrophic election in the US, the topic of xenophobia cannot be ignored.

"The world is full of people who think different is synonymous with wrong"
-David Levithan

As a humble onlooker from Canada, the intensity of the xenophobia seen in these events makes me scared for our world. Its influence in driving the Leave vote for Brexit was evident, which is sad. Immigration is common everywhere, and it is common because because people are leaving broken countries for a chance at a better life. In the US, the blatant hatred toward the Muslim population by a presidential potential is beyond shocking. What world do we live in where this behaviour is ok or possible?

When did our fellow humans stop being just that.... a fellow human being? Living in Toronto, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, has been so eye-opening for me. Walking down the street I see people from every walk of life living in harmony. We aren't pushing for immigration to kick everyone out who is not natively Canadian (and let's be honest, Canadian are not natively Canadian unless they are aboriginal). In fact Canada opened it's arms to Syrian refugees. (There is lots we get wrong however, no worries!! Toronto is just a lovely example of a city that gets that harmony right). Imagine however, if this natural study of harmony was common everywhere?

The beauty of this world is that there is individuality and differences. If every rock on that beach was the same it would be boring. Yes there is a little island seemingly segregated in the water but it is still part of the beach and comprised of the same rocks. The beauty of human beings is that we all share our underlying humanity while each being is an individual with different looks, preferences, memories, behaviours, etc. Those differences should be treasured. It breaks my heart that we just want to impose our views are correct so it becomes "us" versus "them".

The theme this week is Earth from the 4 elements. In week 9, the challenge was water. I did snow as water with a nod to earth since it is crystallized (i.e. hardened) water (flic.kr/p/EWrhUt). In this week's photo, there is "earth" as it touches the water. The Beach. And... to contrast the delicate snow I previously photographed, this photo focused on the hard rocks. The plays on the theme of earth element are the Earth (ie the world), the rocks, the island of rocks, the sand/beach.

There is still so much beauty and goodness in the world. Dare we hope?

Taken in: Canada / New Brunswick / Boudreau-ouest (show map)

Taken on: June 25, 2016

Tags:

beach

sunset

Brexit

presidency

election

referendum

American

canada

Landscape

HDR

Earth

xenophobia

racism

52 weeks

coast

sea

ocean

shore

Canon

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Sets appears in: • My Own Favorites • Landscape more » • 52 Weeks of 2016 • Top 20 Most Interesting « less

Groups appears in: • Your Postcard Shot • Flickritis: over 87,000 waiting for a vaccine. more » • Self Taught Photographers - LOOK AT DISCUSSIONS FIRST! • 52 weeks of 2016 « less

Camera: Canon EOS 70D, f/8.0, 1/30 sec, 18mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 70D
Lens:	Zeiss Distagon T* 3.5/18 ZE
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.033 sec (1/30)
Focal Length:	18mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC 2015 (Macintosh)
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