Unfortunately we live in a world in which racism continues to be an issue. People are always searching for ways to elevate their sense of self worth and value in the world and often do so at the expense of others, skin color has become a simple way for one group of people to declare their superiority to others. But this flies in the face of Judeo-Christian teaching which makes it clear that all of humanity is created in the image of God. 

I've spent a lot time reflecting on the rising level of racial tension in America and wanted to find a way to convey people of different skin color coming together. All my initial ideas felt too much like the cover page of most college catalogues! My desire was portray unity, love, intimacy, and a sense of "togetherness."  

Last October I officiated at the wedding of Amy and Juvitus and I thought they'd make the perfect couple for this project. When I approached them about participating they thought it was a wonderful idea and following the shoot we grabbed a couple of drinks and chatted about some of the racial issues we face in our society.

I liked how the silhouettes obscure the color of their skin, revealing only the reality of two people connecting with one another.

The next couple of images portray a sense of reaching out to engage with the other person, recognizing that at times skin color creates false barriers between people. However, when we have the courage to reach out to people who may appear different to us, we will discover the truth that we are all part of the human race, we all share very similar concerns about life, we are all created in the image of God and have an inherent sense of dignity and worth that comes with that reality. 
 

Ultimately love is at the center of this relationship, two people who decided to give their lives to one another and the truth is we are all stronger together. Together we must learn to stand up to the injustice of racism in our world.

"Is Jesus white?" That was the question that hit me the hardest. I had been sitting in the shade to avoid the hot African sun and was engaged with a young man in a conversation on issues of faith when he threw out this question. A couple of days later, on Sunday afternoon, I was chatting with a young Muslim man and, to my surprise, I was once again asked, "Is Jesus white?"

I was quick to tell both of these men that Jesus was most definitely not a white man. I explained that he came from the Middle-East and would have looked more like the Lebanese people that come to the city of Bo than a pale European like myself. I added that God doesn't have a skin color. God incarnate in Christ had a skin color based on the region of the world into which he came, but all people, of all skin colors, are created in the image of God and have equal value and dignity in the eyes of God.

Where did the idea of a white Jesus come from? 

The local Catholic church was locked so I took this photo from through the grates at the back of the church. The sanctuary is sparse by western standards but on the left is a statue of the Madonna and child and on the right is a print of the Madonna and child. Here in the heart of a rural community in Sierra Leone sits a western image of a white Jesus.

The first Christian missionaries to Sierra Leone date back to the early 1600's. You'd think that by 2018 they'd have figured out a way to make it clear that Jesus wasn't a white European. Apparently not. There's still a lot of work to do if we ever hope to accurately represent Christ in the world today.

This morning at church I was given the Mende name, Kinnie Tikonko. Kinnie simply translates as "a man" and Tikonko is the village we are staying in. In 1995 the Massai of Kenya gave me the name "Oloodo" which means tall giraffe! I now have my given name and also two African names. Names matter, they provide us with a sense of identity. They tell people who we are. 

While being here in Sierra Leone I have tried to get the name of every adult I have photographed as they all have stories to tell. It's a little different with the children, they all want their photo taken so I simply oblige and move on.

In one village this woman approached me as I was taking photos of the Rural Health Care Initiative Community Health Workers and asked me to take her photo. I took the photo and moved on. That moment has haunted me over the last few days. Who was she? What is her name? What story does she need to tell the world? I don't know. 

It struck me that I could ask to go back to her village and find her, and learn her name and story. However I have chosen not to. Why? Because this photograph will forever serve as a reminder of how important it is to learn someone's name and listen to her story.

For that reason I have title this image, "Grace."