Vision Beyond The Lens by -J.J. McQueen-

I like many others just finished watching Black in America on CNN. For some it was probably disturbing, for others it confirmed what you already knew... There are a number of black men and women thriving in America, contrary to what the media reports.  Which brings me to the Perfect Image Styling Salon in the "big city" of Thomasville , North Carolina.  A few miles south of High Point, North Carolina my home town and home of American Idol Star Fantasia Burrino .  As a kid growing up in the area I overlooked things that I wouldn't as an adult.  In this case it was the barbershop or hair salon for some.  Barbershops and hair salons have been the cornerstones of most communities for generations.  The information that you gain as a youngster in these places can't be substituted with nothing else in the world.   If you're ever in the area stop by and see the owner " Mikki " pronounced "Mickey".  One of the many talents in Small Town USA.

As most of you know when life throws you curve balls sometimes you might get hit with a few. After losing two uncles in the same week, I'd say that I've had enough of baseball for while. Fortunately, my in laws had their family reunion scheduled in between the stress of life.  Boy was the timing wonderful.  The first photo summed up the week for me. We were in Louisa County, VA.  It's a few miles north of the University of Virginia.  It was the first time in a long time when we all had a moment to stop and enjoy one another.  Not because we paid to stay at a nice resort, but because we understand the need of celebrating one another.  We understand that when there's no money, no job, no friends or even hope; there is always a person that looks like you that can fill the void of all of the above.   So with a group of over 30 people we kept the place live all week, lol!  We played games, celebrated a birthday, we broke bread together; we made time to get to know each other...

This week was intense!  It's one of those weeks you wish you could erase from your memory.  In the same breath, I hope I don't forget anything that I learned.  I traveled to my home town this past week to share the last moments of my uncle Arthur McQueen's life.  My family and I had the opportunity to wish him well on the last miles of his journey.   As always, I had my camera with me to document the days.  It was brutal.  I never expected to capture the things that I did.  I learned lessons that no Sunday school class had ever taught me. Only ones that life could.  Leadership. Trust. Courage. Respect. Dignity.  In my uncles' best moments in life those words best describe his character. So I'd like to share with you a few perfect frames of "A Family Legacy" The name badge photo was the most difficult to capture.  My younger cousins standing in the gap displaying courage like seasoned seniors. Auntie caring until the end.  Big Sis giving all of the hope and...