Photographer: Amanda Mollindo in collaboration with Leonora Jackeline Barrera

The Prose and Image  Project was an attempt by myself Joe  Medina and Professor Juan Pacheco to have our beginning photography students look into themselves and find a way of bringing out their vision and voice to share with the world . This very unique project has what Juan calls , "its geneses in a cell phone conversation between two artist_teachers", dedicated to the idea that art does make a difference in a students life . We encouraged our students  to use the photographic medium and the written word as a means of expressing thoughts about the big challenges they face in their  lives and communities .  These written pieces could pose a question , illustrate a personal feeling or challenge a convention , taking the form of a letter, poem or personal essay.  Juan is a Professor of Photography in California and I am a High School Photography Teacher in Arizona. The distance required  students to exchange their written pieces with each other via email . Following this exchange, students validated their interpretation of the received text using the photographic medium .  Images could range from representational to abstract, including portraiture . As with any meaningful art, clarity of ideas and honesty of expression was essential.  As stated by Professor Pacheco , "There's are no I's in this collaboration only We's . Our students personal narratives and vision are precious gifts. Allowing someone a glimpse into their lives is a challenging and brave step". We  appreciate the generosity and maturity of each and every one of these young artist and scholars . We urge you to listen to these voices of tomorrow and acknowledge their courage, honesty and importance.

Photographer: Jose Vasquez_Writer: Anais Beas

                                              

A Mexican in Japan

By Anais Beas

I’m going out for a walk

With my one year old child

Waiting for my husband to arrive.

I will stay here for a while.

I hear people’s screams,

And notice the tsunami is here.

I never though I would be there

Or have something like this

Happen to me.

I have to walk with my child

Till I get to my house

…I’ve been here in the streets

Walking with my baby for 5 hours or so.

I’m worried about my husband tonight

He hasn’t arrived

I’m very surprised

Maybe this isn’t my life.

But here we are

My child, my husband and I

We are together, safe in this life

Here in my Mexican town.

                         

Alejandra Espinoza_Roberto Islas

Omniscient

The thoughts of those demons poison his mind.
He strives to escape but they tear down the blinds.
He puts his mind over his shoulder
and looks through the eyes of the innocent.
He watches himself walk the streets
and wonders: where is that boy going?
Maybe someplace great.
At least for a moment things are motionless
before the blinds are torn down again.

Photographer:Silvia Caro/Alejandra Espinoza _Writer: Chezarae Zeitler



So many wishes one person can have. So many wishes I have had.

Though it all seems so unrealistic and unreal, my love for you is what sealed the deal.

It started with a wish to make you mine. The struggles we bared all turned out fine.

Now is the time I look back and see, just truly how much you mean to me.

All our life people have stared and teased, but we never cared to please.

Words such as fag and hate never seemed to have much effect on our fate.

I always wished to be straight, but now I can’t imagine another mate.

I see you now and can finally say I am truly glad God made me this way.

All my tears have come to an end, I’m glad to have you in my life and to call you my boyfriend. 

Photographer: Danielle Keenan _Writer: Silvia Caro



The Great American

On his front lawn a rope hangs

The so called American with piercing green eyes

Wondering, is white light all that he sees?

Anger replaces the words he speaks

This man is alone with no one to hear except his God, whom he always warns is coming near.

Cold, rude, heartless this American appears.

Not one tear

Blinded by a white light, shade is all he sees…

A cross around his neck he wears

This so called American, whose faith means beware

In gods will he thinks he only believes

This man thinks faith, is what he brings

Although on his front lawn, a death rope still hangs.

Photographer: Leslie Monroy Writer: Mario Ulloa

         

Growing up without you wasn’t easy
But I got through it
Playing sports without you to cheer for me sucked
But I got through it
Learning how to shave without you hurt because I had on more Band-aids then Wal-Mart
But I got through it
Taking advice from my mom on my first date was different
But I got through it
As I grew I realized I did learn something from you; you taught me how to NOT love my kids
When I have them you’ll probably miss that too.
But I will get through it
Growing up without you wasn’t easy
But I did it.

Photographer: Rebecca Santillanes _Writer: Andrew Spoonamore

                                                                        



A Ballad

Four years in a desert

without any incidents.

Things are quiet now.

At least, for this instant

It has been four long years.

How are you, my dear?

How are the kids?

Tell them they need not fear

For I am safe at the base

I don’t go out much

They always need fixing;

the soldiers and such.

I have not faced combat

in these past four weeks.

But the walking wounded have shown me

it’s no place for the weak.

Contreras returned today

from Checkpoint November.

It’s in the heart of the city.

If I correctly remember

He didn’t crack a joke

like he usually would.

His head was eaten by his shoulders

Freezing the mood

I went up to him and asked

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

And he replied,

“He is gone”

No tears ran my cheek

I didn’t say a word

We both were silent

Quiet, was the world.

My friend was dead

and I felt unsympathetic

This place has changed me

and I’m fed up with it.