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Signs, People of a Movement (Bernie Rally in NYC)

Another personal post – this one from my street photography blog “OverHerd-OverScene” – which formed the emotional, experiential basis for me to launch Beautifully Different. At a political rally, I was immersed in (and enjoyed) a remarkable diversity, a passionate crowd of unique people with one purpose, and many beautiful differences.

OverHerd & OverScene

On April 16, 2016, I was pleasantly surprised, caught up, and swept along by a march and rally supporting Bernie Sanders for POTUS in New York City (Manhattan). I took pictures of the event from my “OHOS”  (OverHerd-OverScene / OverHeard-OverSeen) blog persona/POV, and tried to capture as much as I could of the passion and excitement of his supporters.

IMG_3631The event had two parts: the march up Lafayette Street / 4th Avenue (images posted previously), and the rally/gathering in Union Square Park. This post, published several weeks after the event, but still interesting and relevant, has a gallery of my images from the rally only. That day, Union Square Park was simultaneously host to both the usual Union Square Greenmarket  (farmer’s market) at the north end of the park, as well as the diverse, passionate people with their colorful clothes, and clever signs, supporting the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, at the…

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Replacing Racism, Unlocking the Heart (and Mind).

Another of my personal posts, which formed the basis of launching Beautifully Different…

Russ Murray

I started to write about racism several times before, motivated each time by some sad, horrific, race-creed-religion-motivated hate crime, police brutality, act-of-war, or terrorism. However, the posts remained in my drafts, unpublished, because each time, the horrific event that inspired me to write, was too quickly followed by another, then another, then many more, in my own country and around the world.  It was impossible for me to finish processing and writing about one event, before I was forced to deal with, and feel my way through yet another new atrocity, in a relentless, inexorable flow of atrocities.

But, after this last nightmarish week in America, a week in which we witnessed the murders of two innocent men by police in Louisiana (Alton Sterling) and Minnesota (Philando Castile), followed by the murders of five innocent police officers (and wounding of 7-10+ more) in Dallas, I had to express my views, add my voice to the outcry, and…

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Acknowledging the Death of Strangers (Empathy)

This is one of several personal posts, which formed the basis of launching Beautifully Different…

Russ Murray

After an otherwise enjoyable holiday weekend with family and friends, I found myself saddened once again by news of murder and death, and posted this status update to my Facebook feed on July 4th:

“Today, as we celebrate our American Independence Day, my heart breaks for the victims of hate in Baghdad, Iraq and Dhaka, Bangladesh.”

Many of my “friends” responded with sad and angry emoticons, a few with standard Facebook “likes” indicating (I hope) approval of my post, rather than their like of murder and/or death. I should point out that my “friends” are comprised of the following five (5) types, which may alter the significance and value of their responses to my posts:
  1. Family & Close Friends = 40+
  2. Friends, Colleagues & Fellow Alumni = 500+
  3. Real Social Media Friends (people I’ve had dialogue with over time, and about whose lives I know something) = 500+
  4. Social Media “Friends” I Don’t Really Know (but friended because…

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