censorship

 This is a picture that I took at the place I used to work. There was a buoyant girl in detention, who saw humor through pain and just happened to be a champion of human rights and just happened to have the lifetime dream of going to africa and saving people :) I loved it when she made our schedule the night before MLK's birthday. So much that I posted this picture on my facebook and earned myself a five day suspension from work. I dutifully took the picture down, but am putting it back up again..on my blog..with many naner naners.
Below is one of the reasons I will have a difficult time leaving the treatment center I currently work at. I immediately took a liking to a very real and creative girl who puts her struggles out there through visual and musical art. I love that there is a certain amount of freedom of expression there. The attitude that art is everywhere and if it's not..we will put it there is pictured here on our trip to the park where girls had no problem expressing themselves in a guerrilla artform to be proud of.

And then there's the memory of many girls who touched my life throughout the years..made me proud to be part of their turning their lives around. This was a picture one of my favorite girlies made me..the note on the back says something about me holding the umbrella of care over the lost souls I work with. I cherish this.

Just small sampling of things I've learned from working with kids and letting them be free to express what they need to...in times when live has shitty challenges.
I know there's a time and a place..but censorship ruffles my feathers these days as nothing else can.
peace and love, Tori