With Andrew Dreier

“As I watch the singing of our national anthem on the opening the weekend of Packer football…

I just wanted to say to those of you who are going to boycott football because of the players actions during the anthem or for any other reason I hope that you stay away and don’t come back. You are not true fans. A true fan not only roots for the team, and the players, but also for what those players stand for. If a group as diverse as an NFL football team, or any other sports team, can agree on things and stand (or kneel, or whatever else they choose to do) in unity I have no idea why anyone can’t. They’re human beings just like you and I and bleed the same blood as you and I. People think that they are disrespecting the flag, the anthem, or the military. THEY AREN’T!!!! Ask any military person and the vast majority of them will tell you that they do not feel disrespected and that the players have every right to do what they’re doing. And yes, I served!! They will say that that is what they fought for, and are fighting for. Every person’s right to stand for what they believe in. Again, they are human beings just like you and I. You may say that they’re there to entertain you and that’s what it is entertainment. But if you don’t believe that they have a right to speak their minds and do their actions just like you and I do there’s something wrong in this world. Go entertain yourself. We ALL need to be in UNITY to make this country and world a better place. Thank you for taking the time to read this all the way through.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The above post originally ran on 09/13/2020.

Days before I took my brother, Andy’s blurry screenshot portrait on my laptop on 09/13/2020, a black friend had a courageous conversation with me, suggesting that it was time for me to turn my camera on myself and other white people. If you recall back then I started 2 series, one on our frontline workers and then after George Floyd was murdered, on our Black communities. The conversation with my friend led to the birth of the 3rd series, What White People Think. All three of those series were precursors to what is now Voices Of Race.

On 09/13/2020, my brother posted the statement above on his own social media page. As soon as I saw it, I called him to explain that I was starting a new series and that I would be honored if he would be the inaugural participant. He didn’t hesitate, saying yes immediately.

This past weekend, 01/08/2022, I was visiting my family in my brother’s and his fiancé’s home in Wisconsin. This is the first time we saw each other in 27 months so I had the opportunity to retake his portrait. His statement is as valid and relevant now as it was when originally posted. My gratitude to Andy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Voices of Race, a portrait series by Kathleen Dreier, is dedicated to amplifying the voices of our BIPOC communities and being a call of action for all people, particularly white communities to be social change agents.  Each participant is encouraged to share whatever they like regarding diversity, inclusion, racism, culture, privilege, etc. No one is censored. My intention and wish is that the viewer reflect upon the words of the person in the portrait and is inspired to engage in their own courageous conversations with their friends and family. It is time we each take the time to reflect on our individual and collective histories, heal from the damage done, and create the foundation for equity and compassion for every human being.

Original image:

Portrait of Andrew Dreier, brother of Kathleen, taken on 09/13/20. Due to Covid, back then, all of the long-distance portraits were taken using my camera and my laptop.