Photographer Steve Rosenfield's What I Be Project reminds audiences that there's more to the people around us than meets the eye. "In today's society," Rosenfield writes, "we are told to look or act a certain way. If we differ from these 'standards,' we are often judged, ridiculed, and sometimes even killed over them. I started this project in hopes of opening up lines of communication, and to help everyone accept diversity with an open mind and heart." Rosenfield has each participant complete the line I am not my ____. Below, a few examples of the outcome.
"I am not my loneliness."
"I am not my confidence."
"I am not my benevolence."
"I am not my chronic illness."
"I am not my emotions."
"I am not my parenting."
"I am not my femininity."
"I am not my memories."
Mine might read, "I'm not my shyness," or "I'm not my age," or "I'm not my voice." What about yours?
See more, here. All images by Steve Rosenfield. Thanks, Dad, for sending this in!
This was a beautiful and inspired post. Thank you so much for sharing this, it came at a rather sensitive moment in my life.
ReplyDeletei think mine would be I am not my shyness too, or I am not my quietness.
incredibly inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool project. I will have to think about what I'm not. I am not my mother immediately comes to mind, but that would make her really unhappy and I can't even deal with it right now.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing and comforting to know that projects like this exist. "I am not my shyness" would be one of mine, too. So would "I am not my lab coat".
ReplyDeletebeautiful. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTiffany, I'm so glad to hear that!
ReplyDeleteBrianna, your honesty is inspiring - I think a lot of people would share your feelings, too.
Kathy, I love that.
"I am not my parenting" - so powerful.
ReplyDeleteI am so moved by this. What a brilliant idea.
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