Skip to main content

There's Something in the Water

This past Thanksgiving holiday I took my annual family trip to my home town, High Point, North Carolina. As usual it was an action packed week of good eats and life lessons. Earlier this year I decided that with each visit home that I would film and/or photograph High Point the way that I see it.

Seeing a place that you've known and loved your entire life thru the lens of a camera is totally different than seeing it day to day. Knowing the cracks of the pavement without looking down, or knowing position of the sun with each season that passes and telling time by it with no watch. All of the above move me when I think about home.

So on the last day of my trip I started walking and I realized what I should have a long time ago, "There's Something in the Water". The untold stories and secrets of the photos below help reveal the untapped heritage of the black and white divisions and decisions of High Point.

For example, I walked up Washington Street and a guy stopped me on his bike and said, "look over there if you want a good picture, they're three brothers painting on a wall". Of course with the times I was a pretty cautious, but the journalist in me decided to put his back to the wall and find out the truth. The guy was right, there were three sub 4o year old black men painting a tribute at 613 Washington Street of Who's Who in the Afro-American community. I recognized many of the faces from childhood. A few hundred yards away sits a billion dollar furniture district known to an unknown number of people across the globe. In between there lies the tracks of freedom from the generations of yesteryear and to those of the present and future.

Last but not least, the John Coltrane statue. The final element that solidifies that the water is rich in "little ole" High Point. If you visit the painting at 613 Washington Street, for those of you that don't know it will unlock many of the traditions and stories that make High Point unique. Go find it. It's there.

This is a project that I'll continue to lose myself in because I know without a shadow of a doubt, that "There's Something in the Water".




Mr. Anthony Belton of the Changing & Tides Cultural Center


Bottom Left: Jason Sturdivan Center Anthony Belton and Justin Wilson



The Wrenn Street Project (In the heart of the furniture district)



Trane Speaks


The Freedom Tracks

Comments

Tony Graham said…
J.J., this is awesome. I am so proud of you. Thank you for sharing!!
December 8, 2010 at 6:47 AM
Michael said…
J.J., great story! It is amazing what we can learn when we start exploring our so called boring town. I plan on doing the same thing in my so called boring town of Goldsboro, NC. Thanks for sharing.
December 8, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Anonymous said…
J.J., this is a great story about a divided community with great potential to become one. My dream is to see this process "becoming one community," take wings and climb to greater heights. As a Guilford County Commissioner and more importantly someone who love this community like you, I will continue giving my very best. I want to thank you for sharing your talents with us. Thanks for the gift!
December 8, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Eve said…
Amazing as always JJ. You really captured something there. It is almost like looking at the bones of the city and having a motion picture revealed right before your eyes.
Nice work!
December 8, 2010 at 2:38 PM
NitaDee said…
This a very insightful and inspiring piece, J.J. You never really "know" or "see" your home town until you leave for a while and return;your eyes are suddenly opened to all the wonders that were there all the time.

Anthony Belton, one of the painters of the wall you photographed is my brother.

He recently relocated to High Point. He is an awesome artist and activist in that town. You should check out some of his other works, he is very gifted. Thanks for sharing.
December 9, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Players That You Never Knew

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed fr...
5 comments
Read more

Fences

Several days ago I stopped to talk to one of my neighbors about a vacant private pool property in our neighborhood. We briefly shard our perspectives on the what if's of the property, and the countless possibilities for the local children if it were open. Needless to say many of the residents where we live share the same vision. Ironically days after that conversation, I had the pleasure of witnessing two middle school aged girls jumping the fence to play basketball at the property. Usually I wouldn't think much of this observation but being a father with two daughters, I couldn't help but notice. Especially when they're no trespassing signs posted everywhere.  However, me thinking like a rational adult, I had to quickly remind myself to think like a kid and note that the fence obstacle wasn't going to be the girls end all for getting some shots up.  On the heels of the conversation with my neighbor it was confirmation that we're all on one accord. So, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

My Why!

Not long ago Sean "P. Diddy" Combs played the leading role in the television movie, " A Raisin in the Sun".  I posted a blog on my myspace page in response to his characters', character.  I talked about his drive and determination to succeed.  It was amazing to watch the movie in 2008 after having read the original screenplay from the 50's.   I'm often asked what is it that motivates me to do what I do besides money.  If you look below at the photos the story tells itself.  Trinity, NC is where I lived until I was about 9 0r 10 years old. Most of the homes there are still like the ones in the photos below.   I took these stills about 5 years ago, I'm glad I did. They are a constant reminder of how important it is to stay humble.  They remind of the importance of a sound education.  They remind me to always respect hard work. They remind me of what strong families can do with little to no resources.  These photos are my moti...
Post a Comment
Read more