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| Nedra Deadwyler |
I returned to Sweet Auburn today after a ten-week break. The
return was one of joyful surprise. The street is changing already! You can literally see the change in
progress.
What made my return joyful
was running into Nedra Deadwyler, at 344 Auburn Avenue and her new shop, Tour
Atlanta with Civil Bikes. As Sweet
Auburn transitions to its new identity I have been open about my concern for
how or if the history of this area will be maintained and woven into the fabric
of this transformation. While I continue to have my concerns I am so encouraged
by businesses like Nedra’s that is concerned about the history. I firmly believe that Nedra will continue to
tell the stories and keep the history alive.
Her biking tours are links to the history of our dear city and this
historic district.
Nedra has created that neat balance of respecting and
continuing the history with her Civil Bikes while not neglecting the
establishment of an entrepreneurial niche.
I love it! She is obviously
brilliant and passionate. Her love for
Atlanta and the rich history of our city exudes out of her. I am so excited to see Civil Bikes as one of
the first new businesses to emerge as a part of the face of the “New Sweet Auburn.” I encourage you to stop by and visit. They have some big things planned for June
2014 and I will keep you posted. Go to
their website and check them out!
An Encounter with Officer B. White of the Atlanta Police Department
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| Officer B. White |
And in other news I was met today by Officer B. White ….no I
am not being funny and I am not making this up.
As I was doing my normal walking and taking pictures I get to the corner
of Auburn and Courtland where and I see an officer on a motorcycle approaching the scene. This looked interesting so I prepare to capture the moment. Being
a street photographer I am focused on capturing the shoot, so I compose the
shoot and create the picture. Well, Officer
B. White gets off is his motorcycle and tells me I can’t take pictures of him
and I better erase any image I took of him!
I respond, “With all due respect Mr. Officer I can take your picture. This is a public space; there is no
expectation of privacy and I have a right to take pictures.” He continues to rebuke me and I mean rebuke
me. I “stand my ground” as a street photographer and ask him to cite the law that
says I can’t take his picture or street photographs. He responds with a story about how people
have been taking pictures of officers and posting them on social media sites
after they have been altered and officers have been getting in trouble with their
superiors. He then tells me I better not
put his picture on Facebook! I respond
by giving him my press pass and informing him of my rights. Street photographers stand your ground, take
your pictures and record history.
Know Your Rights as a Photographer
Know Your Rights as a Photographer
