I am a documentary/activist photographer with over 25 years of doing solidarity photography projects in four Latin American countries (Nicaragua, El Salvador, Cuba, Colombia), as well as in peace movements and labor movements in this country. In addition during these years I have worked as an organizer for several groups, a college teacher, a community activist—and a taxi driver.

I am proposing to mount an exhibit of black-and-white photographs and texts (in English and Spanish) about the struggles of Afro-Colombian and Indigenous peoples of the department of El Chocó, Colombia. Threatened by the violence of a 40-year civil war, abandonment by their government, isolation from the rest of Colombian society, and rapacious activities of lumbering, gold mining and agro-industrial concerns, the people of this area confront the very literal destruction of their rainforest and their cultures.

The people of El Chocó are responding to these threats by:

1) attempting to strengthen traditional points of cultural resistance, including artistic and cultural activities, traditional and Catholic religious activities, etc.
2) developing and strengthening their community councils, in order to claim the rights and protections formally theirs under Colombian law
3) building solidarity and support in other areas of Colombia and internationally.

The proposed exhibit gives a view of:

• the forests and rivers of El Chocó
• the impact of lumbering and mining
• aspects of daily life in the Afro-Colombian and Embera communities
• religious and cultural expressions
• organizing for community strength and against the violence

Examples of the kinds of images that will be included in this display can be found at www.pbase.com/stevecagan/el_choco_selection. Two introductory essays on El Chocó that I have written can be found at www.stevecagan.com/Choco/Choco.html and www.stevecagan.com/bojaya/bojaya1.html. A few notes about “activist photography” can be found at www.stevecagan.com/WhatIs/WhatIs.html, while my résumé can be found at www.stevecagan.com/WhatIs/PhotographyResume-Steve%20Cagan.pdf.

Q: What ideas do you want the participants to take away?
A: The importance of protecting these embattled cultures and environments
Q: How does your event connect to the USSF Crosscutting Themes?
A: This is an exhibit about the consequences of neglect, abandonment and aggression against cultures and environments that are not represented at in the halls of power
Q: How will the participants be engaged?
A: By viewing the images and reading the texts (I would also be happy to do a slide presentation about El Chocó)
Q: What language will your activity be conducted in?
A: English (can also be in Spanish)
Q: Will you provide handouts for attendees? In Spanish? In English? In another language (if so, state the language)?
A: Yes, English and Spanish planned
Q: What is the biggest challenge/adversary your movement/organization faces?
A: Gaining recognition for the issues, and raising one to carry out this communications mission.