26 PICS PIC IT /the-ideas/humanfiles/im-one-of-those-americans/

I'm one of those Americans

"I'm one of those Americans" is a study of the economic troubles and responses in Michigan.

Michigan is currently the heart of the recession in the United States. Last summer I started book one, a study of the culture of garage sales in Michigan, and their relationship to our slumping prosperity. If you're interested, that study can be seen on Burn Magazine, or on my site here:

http://www.humanfiles.com/garagesale.htm

I'd like to start book two, which I've decided will concentrate on the "Tea Parties" that are sprouting up and being attended by thousands. These tea parties are in response to corporate bailouts, excessive government spending called "stimulus", and the taxes, inflation, or growing deficits that are likely to follow.

The project will entail portraiture, signs, actions and reactions, audio, and the breadth of the gatherings. I'd like the concentration to be on Michigan, but I'm likely to expand and cover as much of the Midwest as possible.

The first tea party I plan on covering is that of the Michigan Militia in April.

I've been slammed by the economy here in a way not unusual to folks in Michigan. Continuing this project is impossible without a source of funding, and I think personal stories and responses to the economy will be important touch-points in our attempt to recover.

Thanks for voting!

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16 Comments

lucasbarth

Awesome idea i voted for you, please check out mine and return the vote, good luck!

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imaclellan

Great title. Voted.

Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/

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FatherJohn

I have many family in Michigan: Jackson, Howell, Utica, Pleasant Ridge... and friends in Ann Arbor, Flint, Chelsea, Grand Rapids... Your dream is worthy and I am happy to vote for it. Good luck.

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siblings2tibet

Great idea, especially in these times. Voted, check mine out as well!

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bsasso

This is an awesome idea! I pic'd it. Return the vote?

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mbmyles

A wonderful vision. If you would, please vote for mine too. Maybe one of us may win!

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willbaxter

Cool idea. I like the idea of incorporating the tea parties. Voted for you. Feel free to return the favor and vote for my project on Zimbabwe.

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adamjames

You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!

Thanks.

-Adam

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innatephoto

Very interesting story to tell! You got my vote.

Perhaps you could check out mine? Return the vote? I am committed to exposing the inequalities in our public school systems. CHALK: the eyes of a failing public education system.

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Michelle

I LOVED your garage sale series. This is no doubt going to be a good one too and I hope you get to do it!

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mermaiden

Nice post in Flickr...I do agree

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km16

your essay (link above) is WONDERFUL. If you won, it would be enjoyable to follow along on the blog. Excellent work on that essay! did I say that already? :)

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humanfiles

Thanks! That's why I think it's important to follow and document the tea parties, as these people respond to billion dollar bailouts and virtually no help for the middle class.

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remag

I love the idea and the photos of the 1st series. You got my vote.
Good luck!

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adamjames

hmmm.

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pdavison

I've read your proposal and I do like it-you have my vote. Good luck.

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