Confession Time :: Facing My Racism
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- With all that is going on in the world today and here in the States specifically, I really need to get this out into the world. Here’s the original video of the redneck in the truck... • Video
Thank you everyone for watching. I’ll update with details as soon as I figure out the logistics. Love y’all. #BLM
"I'm exhausted having to explain this to people" Zack, bro everything you are saying and doing is appreciated by me. ❤
Thanks, Craig. I can’t even imagine having to have these conversations for an entire lifetime only to hand the words down to the next generation for them to keep having the same fucking conversations. I can tell you that this stops with me. My kids are not having the same white washed life I have had.
i just made a video trying to put my voice out there in a small way
I know I am kinda off topic but do anyone know a good website to watch newly released movies online?
@Karsyn Kylo Try Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)
@Ismael Tadeo Definitely, I have been using FlixZone for since april myself =)
Bro....it's hard to express everything this video made me feel without typing a super long comment. So in short...I LOVE IT! And I, as a black man am proud of you for being able to take that hard look in the mirror and self ID. I could FEEL the sincerity in what u were saying....the by product of TRUE EMPATHY! Now that u have it i know u won't be able to keep quite around racial injustice anymore when u see it. Or around people who thought as you used to and are defensive. Your words truly mean a lot to me bro...you have taken a HUGE step in making right what has been wrong for far too long...and I thank you! Keep fighting cuz its far from over!!✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
Thank you, Gabe. 🙌❤️🙌
I grew up not far from you, and around the same time. I am not black, I am not white; I am both. I've had to come to grips with a lot of the same things and I want to say thank you for taking ownership of how you felt. I know it's not easy. I think you've put out the first video I've seen where someone has owned what they said and what they did. Thank you for taking that first step, it's always a doozy. I also appreciate your refrain of "but I am not a racist." It reminds me of the speech from Julius Caesar by Mark Antony talking about Brutus being an honorable man.
I'll happily walk side by side with you, as a fellow photographer, and as a person of color who had to deal with his own racism.
Thanks again for the video, and the apology.
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Thank you for helping me to understand.
Thank you for listening.
I am black and I have followed you for over ten years of my photography life. I’d like to say I appreciate you.
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It's been said that "life can be hard when you are white, but life is never hard BECAUSE you are white." The inverse is also true; life can be easy if you are black, but life is never easy because you are black. As a biracial person, who grew up in an entirely caucasian family, I have the distinct ability to see things from both sides. What you just did is how we all heal. I know many African-Americans who have become racists themselves, simply because they'd become convinced that there was no point in trying to understand the other side, because "whites" would never do the same for them. -Zack, you just proved them wrong. ❤️
Ever heard of affirmative action? Of course it can be easy because you are black. Try being asian and getting into ivy league. Much easier for blacks.
I love how honest and vulnerable you were. This gives me hope!
A coworker of mine blew me away when she just blurted out, "I can tell you've been around black people." She went on to say that other coworkers didn't know how to take her. I had a unique experience as after my parents divorce, we moved with my mom and when the money from the sale of the house ran out, we moved to the projects at the beginning of fifth grade. My best friend was black and after our apartment was broken into by white kids, I stayed the night at his apartment for most of the rest of the week.
The first love of my life was the cutest biracial girl. When I was nineteen, I took a young woman out on a date, only to call her and be told by her grandmother that races shouldn't mix. It's disparaging what one generation will teach another about who their friends should be or who they should and should not date.
I cannot tell you how it feels to be black, but I've witness racial disparities especially when it comes to the police. I was treated different because my friend in the car was black.
I suggest two books to people from opposite spectrums. One is Ta-Nesihi Coates' Between Me and the World. One should read it first. The other is Thomas Chatterton Williams': Self-portrait in Black and White. Much of the problem with race has to do with segregation of ourselves. We view people from a very ignorant understanding, yet never talk with those who aren't part of the different race or different socioeconomic class. And I don't know how to get people to take on the effort to forgo the certainty of their ignorance and befriend someone different than them.
Jesus. Wow.
I’ll look for those books.
Honestly Zack.... I know this must have been hard to make, but it's making an impact! Thank you for reminding me to take stock of my "but I'm not a racist" self. Respect for using the platform you have...it will grow with vulnerability like this.
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Hi Zack, you're the perfect example for the reason why racism is so incredibly hard to combat - 'nice' guys are racists, too - and not just mildly, just like you confirmed, but in a condescending and disgusting manner. The ignorance that modern racism among educated people is embedded in makes it impossible to have an actual conversation. And as a German, I am always stunned by the additional level of ignorance so many U.S. American people have towards how their country was 'built'. While I personally don't think that any Black Person or Person of Color will or should give you a pat on the back for making this video (this video is part of your personal journey, not ours), I do appreciate that you at least briefly touched on the White Gaze, and how wrong it would have been if you had seriously decided to make a project about the protests and in doing so to visually and economically exploit a culture that you never understood nor respected in the first place. I wish more photographers would be honest with themselves regarding this issue. We still have a long way to go. Have a good day.
Comment of the day, Ava. Thank you. Let’s coin “nice guy racism” right here and now. I have my Arab and Indian friends to thank for teaching me about the White Gaze if I’m honest. I never was aware of such a thing until I started traveling in that part of the world and it really opened my eyes to it. It’s a knee jerk reaction for me to want to “capture” this right now and I just need to sit the fuck down and not.
Very powerful and courageous of you. This makes all the difference my man. Thank you for posting and sharing.
You gained a follower. Found you because of your crop vs full frame vid, staying because of this. Extremely well put, and I'm sharing this big time.
Thank you. 🙌❤️🙌
You showed me, once again, why I have followed your career in photography and taken your advice time after time concerning our chosen art of photography. From Chase Jarvis to Transform to today...your caring heart and wisdom shine brightly. Thank you so very much.
Man I normally don't watch things this long but I did and it was worth it. Been following you for years nothing but respect. I wish years ago while living in ATL I had gotten to shoot with you and RC when he was in ATL. I hope someone takes advantage of what you are offering. Love you dude.
Thank you, Charles. ❤️🙌❤️
Also.... Also.... The first edit was over 40 minutes long!!!! I just can’t stop talking. 🤣 Thanks again for watching and thanks again for the comment. 🙌❤️🙌
Paradigms shift when we take the first step in the Light of Truth! ...
That awkward moment you realise, he's talking about you.
Heartfelt, appreciate the share, and your words were touching!
Funny how things work, I found you this morning on Jared’s channel. For some reason your work and style caught my attention. And here I’m looking through your content and found this... I can’t express how much I appreciate your words and thoughts, how much you had touch my heart and how every single word clicked me in every single aspect. I would said something, I would continue to follow and support you, and the day we meet I would explain how you had just changed my life today. God bless your family!
Thank you, Pedro. I appreciate that.
I appreciate you using your platform for honesty and self reflection. These types of post provide a glimmer of hope. I've been doing portrait work on the Black experience for over 10 years now, so its refreshing to hear others acknowledge the need for emphasis on our stories. Thanks Zack!
White guy here, with a very, very similar background as Zack. I have been saying "all lives mater" -- but I now have to say "black lives matter" because what the @#$% do I know about the black experience. I hope this video get millions of views, and changes a million hearts.
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Being honest about ourselves, to ourselves and others, is where it starts. I may have some soul-searching ahead of me myself. Was deeply touched by your video, Zack.
As a black person I say to you thanks for listening.
I’m trying. Still a lot of crap to clean out of myself.
I am going to turn 60 in one month and have had friends of all colors through my life...seriously have and I feel we all loved each other very much. I have been blessed to have had and to still have these friendships. I am now a photographer in the East Bay in California. I have been trying SOOO hard to get hired for jobs of photography. Online advertising...offering free images to graduates by going to open public locations where images are shot by families (parks, historical sites, etc.) because they so "deserve it" with all they have gone through this year of the Pandemic...missing formal graduation ceremonies, proms, even date nights with fellow students, just being able to HUG a fellow classmate and wish them well in college or wherever their lives may take them. I have screen printed my own advertisements for my self...damn near EVERY bit of clothing I wear has my business ad on it (front, back, sweats down one leg with my instagram page on it, etc. and have so many other wearing the same for me; the expense for the small qty. of work I could AFFORD was prohibited (I work full-time at the local school district in Hayward) and have tried social media for getting the quality of my work out there for people to see. Yet...yet...there have been only a very, very, very small body of work I have been hired to do. And only about 12 individuals in Hayward AND Oakland who have come to let me shoot them for FREE. San Francisco as well. So, I am trying...trying not to believe that my skin color has anything to do with it. Actually, I had not though so until watching this WONDERFUL video you have posted. I have hope, being an optimist that the ONLY reason I have not been asked much is because folks do not know of my work-yet or that perhaps I am going about wrong avenues for advertising. I have elevated my craft, but, not my marketing skills...working on that. So, to summarize, I have, for soo many years silently watched women, mostly white, clutch their purses as I would walk down the same sidewalk...looking non-threatning...smiling, jovial, but, I chose to CROSS to the other side of the STREET to help THEM feel more at ease and to make myself feel the same. I did NOT want to be seen to ME as a "bad" person....a person to feel threatened by. But, just a person of good intent, willing to put my life on the line for her and any other person-period, that was in danger of harm from anyone else. So, I apologize for this WAAY TOO LONG comment, but, wanted to say that I've followed your outstanding work and seeing this video has allowed me to feel so much MORE appreciative of your work and you. May our craft of photography continue to grow, as well as our income and make this work better than is was, for the future. Thanks again. Huie Dinwiddie
Wow. Huie. Thank you for writing that. I always appreciate long comments that share stories. Thank you.
I think I speak for the black community when I say, we thank you for explaining to your own ppl what our fight is about. I appreciate your willingness to change your viewpoint and realize your own indoctrinated bias against us
Zack, thank you for your vulnerability over the years and the strength to share that with the rest of the world. Whether it's to let us know we're not alone or to put into words the truth of our perspective, I am extremely grateful. You're on to something - the more dinners I have with those different than me, the more I learn to empathize. While views change, I'll never know the depth of their experience, but it's a start.
Great, great video. Non-American, Non-European white guy here, and I want to believe I have been leading a non-racist life, but there are lessons to be learned. Empathy is something that can always continue to grow. The racial side of the discussion is one part of it, but there are lessons to be learned from these sort of self-reflections.
One thing though: It is entirely up to you whether you want to make this story a portfolio piece or not. I think people with a talent for documenting things should always do so. Nobody cares who took the photo of the Vietnamese kid running away naked, but it did play a role in what happened next.
Agreed. But I think I can also sit this out for awhile and just lend support to whoever might need it.
This is the most amazing video I have seen this year so far. Thank you Zack, for sharing your journey about this very important subject.
You just got a new fan, today is the first day seeing any of your videos and I am a fan now.
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Zack, great words, great thoughts. I am from Colombia where racism is at the highest point. We have very serious problems, where the government is blind of everyday assassinations of indigenous and social leaders.
So sorry to hear that. It’s a global issue for sure.
Wow. That was a powerful video and I have to say, I admire your honesty. It's stuff like this that makes me admire you not just as a photographer.
Watched it all and that was one of the most heartfelt apologies ever. It was appreciated by this 52 year old black man. Thank you.
Love to you, James. ❤️❤️❤️
Well said. Confronting our own prejudices is a start to seeing the real world as it is. A powerful piece.
So courageous... Thanks for this.
Here in France, we have kind of the same issue: racism against people from Maghreb.
Not the same place; not the same history. But your speech could perfectly be transposed. Almost literally.
Amen! Very well put and genuine. Thank you for your honesty, may it be an example for all of us.
You are a courageous man Zack Arias, and a role model of honest humanity not only in photography but also in life. Keep it up and know that your work here and elsewhere matters because it touches and inspires people. Black Lives Matter!
Well said Zack, It's true about human rights & war also, we preach about it without experiencing it.
Thank you for sharing this Zac. Your vulnerability and honesty is exactly the approach I would love to see more white people take, myself included. A few of your moments hit close to home in ways I hadn't reconciled with yet. Clearly, I still have work to do as well. Your photography has resonated with me for awhile now but not nearly as much as your humanity did today. Truly appreciated.
Thank you Zack ... wise words ... here in the UK we have this feeling that it's not that bad here, it's a US issue ... it's not the same ... I'm a nice guy ... but so much of what you said resonates and though we may FEEL we are ahead in some ways we are just as far behind.
Hi, white,60yrs old. Living in a country that exploited other nations and people too. A king that rides ( or used to do) on certain days in a "golden" coach (1895),given by the city of Amsterdam. On the sides of this coach there are nice paintings. I never took any notice of them . Until I heard a black man talking about it . I did a short research, and indeed a white monarch (representing the Netherlands) receives gifts from the colonies ( Suriname,the Antilles and Indonesia) . It made me sick to the stomach. That thing driving around is a homage to white supremacy in my country. Yes it is a sign of its time, and yes as a sign of our time our monarchy should not drive in it. Not teaching our history right. Let's make it right then. Let's change. Wishing you all the best.
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Thank you for openly sharing your history with us. I also, grew up in a racist bubble. I didn't have multiple friends of color until after college. And even after that, I didn't think myself racist, but I still hasn't understood how silently complicit I was until about 10 years ago: I'd made a racist comment in front of a white colleague who was so infuriated by what I'd said, that their reaction transformed the way I thought about race in America.
I tried to learn as much as I could about how POC have been, and still are, treated and why I never knew for so long. At first, I tried to rationalize my colleague's anger to some experience I didn't know about. But as I learned more about how people of color are still treated, I decided that it could not matter what their reason was for being so angry. I felt required to assume it completely justified, no overreaction, and I had to be better. Since then, I've tried to listen as much as I can. I try to find ways to be a better ally (to POC and LGBT+ alike) without asking everyone to do the heavy lifting of explaining it to yet another cisgender, straight, white guy in America.
Thank you for sharing your story. 🙌🙌🙌
Man, this one hits home. To be this honest an vulnerable in front of so many people .... Like Gabe said, you have taken a huge step. Respect! This is where it all starts, being honest with oneself. Have to do some thinking myself. Very much appreciate this video.
Latino here, so I know this video isn't for me, but still - thank you for both owning up to your past and admitting you only started listening to these conversations when it came from another white voice. I've never heard anyone admit that out loud, much less publicly unless they were "called out" or "cancelled."
The only correction I feel okay with making is how you separated politics from racism - unless I misinterpreted you? - given how often racism has historically informed politicians and law-making. Virginia only legalized inter-racial marriages in 1967. Wells Fargo was sued in Philadelphia back in 2017 for "discriminatory lending" to black and latino home owners.
Hell, if we're going to be really blunt and talk about racism in the photo community specifically, B&H was sued not too long ago - with documents alleging they were discriminating against black, female, and asian job seekers while paying minority employees less than their white counterparts. I mean, segregated bathrooms in 2016? WTF? Of course, they settled this case and have promised to fix these alleged problems, but still - this is all an intersection of race and politics which people of color find themselves wedged into regardless of how hard they try to be apolitical.
I don't want to turn this into more of a rant then I already did, so I'll just abruptly end this here and say - great video and, again, I appreciate you speaking to the photo community about racism. Way too many people calling it a day after posting a protest photo to their Instagram.
Thanks for the comment, Manuel. I’m fully aware that race has been politicized but it shouldn’t be. Everything can be politicized but because someone is black or brown or straight or gay etc should not be “political”. There are political reactions to things like reparations or affirmative action. Those can be discussed and debated in the political realm I think. But for a black or brown person to just be able to live their life without fear of murder by those sworn to protect them... that isn’t politics.
@@ZackAriasATL Manuel is right. As a social anthropologist from Chile, I can tell you that we can't separate racism from the political aspect. There's a difference between politics thar comes from government or elected officials and the one that refers to power. Racism is a political issue in this last meaning. Is like the famous phrase of Simone de Beauvoir "The Personal Is Political".
We met once many many years ago at the gulf photo event and I thought you were a nice chap but now I think you're an absolutely fantastic chap. Thank you for your honesty and bravery in sharing yourself so eloquently. I know a few people who have the same mentality you had and I hope they see your video.
Zack. I’ve admired your work and followed you for a number of years. What you shared today takes great courage and I really appreciate you and what you shared on this video. I hope that other white people who watch this can dig deep and get into the space of listening, learning and growing the way you have. Thank you! 🙏❤️📸
Thanks Zack. Love and respect man.
That was beautiful Zack. Kia kaha bro.
Not seeing color is good. It means you see a human as a human. Anybody who tries to make you feel guilty for being white is racist. If you can’t see that then you need to learn more. White privileged...maybe it’s a middle class privilege. Poverty does not discriminate. I think people have too much time on their hands
Btw I’m Canadian so I think my experience is different
Yes, as a Canadian your experience is different. I don’t know the full scope of Canadian history. We never learned much about Canada in school here in the US. You’re those nice people up north that have police on horseback and you invented syrup for pancakes. Something about the Queen is still around but not and some of y’all speak French. There’s the US history class of Canada in a nutshell. You might have helped us in a war or something. Can’t remember. Pretty sad huh?
Our education in the history of the BIPOC experience in this country is just as bad. Note that not once have I mentioned white guilt. Not once have I seen a BIPOC try to guilt me into thinking a certain way. The process is more of learning about federal, state, and local policies that have disenfranchised millions of people while allowing millions more to move ahead in the game of life with far fewer barriers.
When I have come to see these “sins of the past” it breaks my heart. It makes me cry. I see where I do have a privilege in this country. It’s not my fault. I didn’t do this. I have in the past perpetuated the stereotypes. I’ve supported others who did the same. I was blind to the consequences of these actions. For that... I’m sorry I was that way in my life. It’s not guilt. It’s facing up to issues, calling them out, and saying I’m going to keep learning and improve myself and look for ways that I can help others.
At first I was so pissed to hear about your closeted racism especially after so much of your work seemed to emphasize & celebrate black culture. I got through it and glad you had the sense not to exploit black pain, I can't say that about a lot of so called "big platform" photographers, which PISSES me off to no end. Thanks for your apology and repentance, I appreciate that you're a man looking for the truth in himself and weighing it against what's right. Keep the pedal down on that conviction, our natural bent is us vs them and our highest sensibilities will take constant intention to maintain. God Bless
Thank you. Someone else commented about how it’s hard to fight and recognize and call out “nice guy racism” which is something I myself have seen in my own life.
Since picking up a Fuji X/GFX body, you’ve been one of my favorite ‘photography’ voices. After watching this piece I found myself seeing you as a human being and an advocate for dialogue and positive change. Thank you for demonstrating the courage we will all need to effect the change. “Stay Safe and Be Blessed.”,
Chaps
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Thanks for putting yourself in an uncomfortable position of self reflection. We all need to do that kind of soul searching hopefully to bring about a better world. In this day and age I pray you unburden yourself from a system you didn’t create or see ,but scars everyone’s soul.
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So well said! Your gesture, offering the use of your studio is wonderful. I have hope, and with you 100% in support of Black Lives Matter with my heart and soul as well.
Thank you 🙏🏿
Zack. I have to applaud you for doing what many white people, let alone white photographers would do: assist a black person with their career. That gesture is the pure embodiment of the word altruism or paying it forward. A year ago, I sent you a link to my website when you offered to review photographers work and you gave me a positive response. Unfortunately, I am still seeking to get my 11 year project published where I have documented my black community. I live in Harlem and white photographers have come to Harlem, and still do, to get their pound of flesh, for their projects/portfolios. These photographers really need to understand what they are doing, as well as photo editors, gallerists, publications, et al, that promote having white photographers capture black American lives. I offer you an encomium for your absolute sincerity about your coming to grips with your racism. In a twist, my father was born in Georgia and moved to New York City where I was born. I would love to visit you one day and discuss my project.
Email me please - usedfilm@gmail.com - let’s talk more
Zack! Thank you so much for this. I'm tearing up watching this because it's so similar to the experience I've had trying to combat racism in my own mind and heart. You're a real one. 🖤
I can only speak for myself, so thanks Zack. It's appreciated and affirming to hear that others can start to see the same things that I see as a person of color. And what I have had to learn is to still be able to have hope and view the wonderful things in this world despite the shit that I deal with because of the color of my skin. There are some things that we become aware of that significantly alter how we see and act moving forward and I look forward with hope to seeing what happens next. I've personally started a photo project to explore that too and at the very least, I think there will be some amazing art created, expressed, and appreciated from all of this.
Thank you KG. I appreciate that. There is some amazing art on the rise from this. I can’t wait to see what happens.
Zack, I've always looked up to you and admired you. Your work has always been an inspiration to me. The way you share your knowledge has always been something I've aspired towards. I've looked up to you as a photographer, educator, communicator, and as a person for a long time.
Watching this has just confirmed to me why I've always looked up to you. Your honesty, self-awareness, and candor is incredibly admirable. We are on a parallel journey on this topic here and this spoke volumes to me and my heart. Thank you for being who you are, sir.
❤️🙌❤️. Let’s keep this journey going.
Actions like yours is how American will finally be able to live up to what it was ”founded on”. Thank you for taking the time to reflect and share. We respect you and value people like you Zack ✊🏿❤️
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Powerful and much needed video, Zack.
Thank You!!!
many don't like doing it, but i am giving you props for sharing you story and appreciate your sincerity and understanding. your story is extremely important because it is extremely common in the USA and the world. you are speaking a perspective that can potentially help tons of white people rethink their existing views and become part of the solution. thank you
Thank you. I made this video not in hopes that people of color would appreciate it but in hopes that white people might take a moment to look at themselves like I have had to do.
So when am I coming for dinner.......just kidding. :-) What I'm not kidding about is, this was true, raw, and meaningful to me as a Black man. You have learned the first lesson......that is to LISTEN. I appreciate you coming forward wanting to help with the solution and not be the problem. I know it must have been tough for you to admit some of these things to yourself. Again, to open yourself up to your experiences and be true........man that is powerful stuff. Thanks, Zack.
Thanks, Doug. It’s been tough but I’m not complaining.
Dude, fellow Forsyth County resident here. I just want to give you a shout out. That was such a powerful video and it means a lot. I appreciate your honesty and thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Emily. 🙌❤️🙌
This is very noble of you Zack
POWERFUL!!!
Wow, wow, wow...thank you, thank you!! Zack I, as a black man, greatly appreciate your honesty and self reflection. Brother I love you for stepping up and having the courage to speak up.
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Zack, I learnt so much from your descriptions of your explorations and your realisations. Thankyou for your insights. Very moving,certainly heartfelt and real!
Beautifully said. Your words have definitely opened up my way of thinking, as a "not racist, I have black friends" white man. With all that I see happening in our world, which seems to get worse year after year, I feel like I have lost most of my faith in humanity. The politics, racism, sexism, and so many other "isms", hate, hypocrisies and lies. I truly hope we can all rise above and become better people. Thank you Zack for opening up, being real, and showing that we can change, and there is hope for humanity.
Such a great video, this is what we need right now! You have a new subscriber
Thanks! ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Zack. Thank you.
Love you man, this is one of the best and most honest commentaries on how white racism works I've ever heard. Honored, thank you.
Thank you, Dixon. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.
Thanks for giving voice to such an important topic: how we as a privileged class struggle to face our own inability to listen and thus understand, and without understanding it's difficult to change not only the racism we see around us but also within us. Your message resounds with me own reflections the last couple of day. Still trying to learn.
Thank you, Christian. Finding the issues within ourselves will help us help others.
Thank you! I’ve learned a ton from your CZcams and Creative Live teachings which have made me a better photographer. You’ve always seemed like the kind of guy who was thoughtful and approachable. I never once would have thought that some of your confessions would have been true, so I appreciate you calling yourself out and doing what you can to help others from a place of humility and the beginnings of understanding what life is like for black people. Hugs from Austin, TX. Hopefully one day we’ll get to meet. Also I think this would be great to put on IGTV. I’d love to share it there with my followers there. Keep doing what you’d doing man. You can’t fix it all but you can be a great example for others. Much love, Zack! ✊🏽
Will do. Thank you.
Zack, I never comment on CZcams video, I focused from the start of the video to the finish. You're to me the B&W Fuji master, but here I see a truly good person that is really honest to himself. Total respect, I loved your message, your apology and I'm not black.
Thank you, Aladdin. ❤️🙌❤️
Bravo. I am white, been looking at this for a long time. It is refreshing to finally see a few folks are starting to look at this in an intelligent way. There is so much more work to do. Videos like this move the issues of privilege forward. My personal experience goes back before you were born. I was with my best friend who was black. He was kicked out of a diner in east Texas while heading home on leave before going to Vietnam. I went to the back to eat rather than staying in the diner. I was the only white guy to leave. We were in uniform headed to Houston to catch planes to go home before heading to Vietnam. He was killed right in front of me, 53 years ago, next month. The pain has never left me. It is far worse now as I see how little has changed since then. So, I sincerely appreciate what you posted. There is so much more to this story I have experience but it is apparent some real movement is finally starting to happen.
Wow. I can’t imagine. Thank you for sharing your story.
I liked you as a photographer now I like you as a human. Thank you
I have always been a fan of your work Mr. Arias. I own several of your videos like the One Light Workshop and One Light 2.0. Thank you for your honesty and candor about discussion your thoughts and views. Your video was powerful and sincere. I wish other photographers would speak out more on the topic of racism because it is a problem within the photography community and industry. I wish I lived in Atlanta in order to work with you on a project I have been thinking about. Nevertheless, I'll definitely be employing some of the things I learned from your video workshops in my upcoming photography project to document stories about Black Lives Matter. My respect for you Mr. Arias has only grown, thank you for taking a stand for what is right and just. Take care and stay safe during this Coronavirus pandemic. I look forward to more of your videos and photography work.
Thank you, Eric. Stay in touch as you work on your project.
Zack, I've been away from your channel too long. I once posted a question about working through a slump or "depression. I wrote of my stupid little battle with consumption vs. creation. You posted an awesome video addressing your battle with this, I had also previously seen your video on "Noise vs. Signal" . I skimmed over it and then got lost again with Covid-19 and disappeared again. Treading creative waters, getting nothing done. I'm ashamed at myself for squandering time when others are out there struggling just to have time, so to speak. This video is powerful, beautiful and on point! It's difficult to put into words how much I love this video. Thank you for making this and sharing this. I'm a white dude, went to public schools, had 1 black teacher (English; Ms. Toni Martin you made a difference in my world and I'll never forget you) throughout my entire education. However, I did see how she struggled and worked so much harder than her peers to be an educator. I had a serious injury and was unable to finish my senior year in school, she came to my home and tutored me. I learned far more than English. I was upset by how some of my "friends" would "joke" and comment about her helping me. I was upset by it, stuck up for Ms. Martin, but could not have comprehended how this truly must have felt for Ms. Martin. I wish I knew where she was now. I'd like to tell her I love her, appreciate her and am grateful for the time she spent with me. I think I'm babbling here. I just wanted to put my hand in the air with you and everyone else; listen, learn, love! And, to all the Ms. Martin's out there, thank you! #BLM
Thank you for sharing that! 🙌❤️🙌
You’re welcome. Thank you for the opportunity and the place in which to allow my words heard. You rock Zack!
Thank you!
Zack.... THANK YOU!! Thank you for speaking your heartfelt truth! I know that was not easy being transparent in a public forum. Much LOVE & much RESPECT!!
We will heal........TOGETHER!!
Amen. Thank you, Will.
Zack, You have really open my eyes, I have a not white wife and always told myself I do not see colour but a person. Yes I see my wife as a person... (because I love her), but I do not see others in the same way. Thank you for a truly inspirational lecture of life! this will change my thoughts...
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*thumbs up*
Will share.
I appreciate you putting yourself out there Zack. Yes, it is time for some soul searching and some long hard looks in the mirror. Much love from China...
This is one of the ways we move forward to create a more perfect union! Those that just say America need to remember we are supposed to be the United States, US in America! Big fan of your work.
Thank you Zack. Thank you for your honesty. It takes a brave man to live with an undefended heart.
Very thought-provoking Zack. I'm a white guy from the UK. About the same age as you with very similar experiences in school and college. Like you I thought being non-racist was treating everyone the same and not recognising colour. I'm proud to say that I was shown the error before I left college...
Thanks for sharing your past and recognising the way we can fail whilst still having a good heart.
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Super Shocked. Been following you since the one light days and never realized you were like that. You hid it well. Super proud of you for putting it out there and for the personal growth.
Someone said in another comment about how it’s hard to see and call out and recognize “nice guy racism”. I’ve learned that from first hand experience
@@ZackAriasATL I hear ya...and I'm definitely not judging. Just to put a fine point on how long I've been following your work...I still have the One Light videos somewhere in my office. When you started using the Fuji X100 back when there was no RAW support in LR I bought one to try myself. I was even a X-Photog for a stint myself.
I guess i'm just floored that you were one of those people who speak one way in "safe" company and another in public. You are correct, many white people do that.
I was being straight up though. I admire your work and now I think even more of you. Can't have growth without a little pain and I can see that you are sincere. Keep rockin' man.
I totally get you aren’t judging. I tell ya man, so many times I didn’t know I was that kind of guy either. The first version of this video was over 40 minutes. In that version I got into micro aggressions that I’ve totally been guilty of without ever seeing it. I have a lot of reprogramming to do in my life but I’m here for it. Not complaining. 🙌❤️🙌
You just said what I should say but never have the courage to admit. Damn. I need to think about this. Thank you Zack.
It’s taken me a long time to figure this out and a long time on how to say it. Keep growing my friend. 👍❤️👍
Zach, my hats off to you. For your Honesty, for bringing this in the open. As a white person myself I find it very hard to express myself against Racism. Growing up in Dutch White Surrounding I can never imagine how black people experience racism. Your way that you have expressed yourself in this video just sums it up for me. I'd like to think of myself of not being a racist, but it is not me to decide if I'm racist or not
This was the most eye opening take on the issue. Not a white or black here but an Asian but I see myself being as racist for not reflecting on my own ways of thinking. It really hit hard. Thank you!
🙌❤️🙌 As long as we are learning and growing.
Thankful Bro' Live/Love/Peace J'
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Thank you.
I applaud you Zack. Keep up the good work.
As a foreigner who has not experience the racial problem in the US, your story is very informative. Thank you.
I know you're not looking for pats on the back, Zack. But I'm giving you one. This is thought-provoking - and provoked thoughts are needed for real actions to take place. I can relate to everything you said. Thanks for your heart. Thanks for taking the time to create and share it.
Thanks, Steve. Hope y’all are doing well. Loved your drone video from CHAZ.
Wow Zack, that was powerful and you really let your viewers see how vulnerable you are. BLM do matter!
Thank you Zack. You really spoke volumes. Very well said and truly from the heart ❤.
Thank you for this video, very honest
I'm really heartened by the overwhelming number of positive responses in these comments. You do good work, Zack. I hope a lot of Black photographers and storytellers take you up on your offer.
Love you to man...Peace.
Thank you Zack. So eloquent and so true.