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Shanna Gagnon
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2020-05-24
Nearly Empty San Francisco Street
A friend visited San Francisco with her family as shelter-in-place order begin to reverse. This photograph shows the very light traffic on San Francisco streets during this time. Most cars in the photograph are parked along the street. The skyline of downtown San Francisco is seen in the distance. -
2020-04-22
Coronavirus Cake
We consider our nanny to be part of our family and she was part of our quaran-team. Her April 22 birthday posed a particular challenge for a cake. We would normally visit Ambrosia Bakery, but with more time, we decided to bake it instead. With extra raspberries on hand and some Valentine’s candy about to go out the window, we threw together the SARS-CoV-2 cake to celebrate the unusual times of celebrating in quarantine. -
2020-05-24
Empty Golden Gate Bridge
As the San Francisco Bay Area's shelter-in-place orders began to relax, a friend ventured into the city for a drive. She took this video of the light traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is typically packed with cars. This is the lightest amount of traffic I have personally ever seen on the bridge. -
2020-05-15
Empty Path To Golden Gate Bridge
A friend that lives in San Francisco sent me this photograph she took on a recent run. The image is of a path that runs alongside Crissy Field. It is one of the most popular walking/running paths for locals and tourists alike as it includes an incredibly picturesque view of the Golden Gate Bridge. This path is typically full of people. During shelter-in-place orders, however, hardly anyone was on the trail. There are 2-3 figures on the pier in the distance. And the rooftop of just 2 cars is visible on the Golden Gate Bridge. -
2020-06-28
Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, Gay Lives Matter
Tyler Coffey posted this vibrant image featuring a person holding a sign that reads "Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, Queer Lives Matter," while standing in front of a colorfully decorate van, on his Instagram account. There is also a sign on the front of the van that reads "The first pride was a riot." The person holding the sign, as well as another figure in the background, are wearing masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This photograph was posted during San Francisco's pride weekend, traditionally held the last weekend in June. Rainbow flags and other apparel items are clearly seen in the background. -
2020-06-28
San Francisco Pride, 50-Year Anniversary
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebrations and Festivals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in person events were cancelled. The SF Pride organization instead created a virtual celebration. Following tradition, all virtual events are being held the last weekend in June, June 27-28, 2020. SF Pride events are available on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. Additionally CBS will broadcast all events. -
2020-05-30
San Francisco Street Photographer Captures Essential Workers in Masks
Street photographer, Alex Stemplewski, is working to capture photographs of essential fast food and retail workers across San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic. These TikTok videos show Alex visiting a variety of fast food and retail stores in San Francisco and capturing stunning images of the people he encountered at each location. -
2020-06-26
An Act of Kindness
Street photographer, Alex Stemplewski, decided to gift a mask and $100 to homeless people he encountered in San Francisco. This video shows Alex's generosity and the genuine gratitude of the recipients of this act of kindness. Many people in the video are masked reminding the viewer of the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2020-06-25
COVID-19 and SF Pride
Street photographer, Alex Stemplewski, captured a special moment between a gay couple during June, pride month, in San Francisco. The video begins as Alex approaches the couple. The viewer is reminded of the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic of a mask in the opening of the video. In addition to taking stunning photographs for the couple, Alex listened to what the couple had to say about challenges facing the gay community today. -
2020-05-30
The Coolest Masks of San Francisco
TikTok street photographer Alex Stemplewski created a video of a project he started as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He approaches strangers wearing fashionable masks and asks to take their photograph. The result is a stunning time capsule of life during coronavirus. -
2020-03-20
The Coronavirus Effect
This TikTok video features Jon Stich creating coronavirus inspired artwork for Politico. This art piece features a figure on a hoverboard carrying a pack of toilet paper. The toilet paper is streaming out of the package and in the background are two other figures that appear to be homeless. Near the figures in the background are a tent, a shopping cart, and various bags. This scene takes place in front of buildings with iconic San Francisco architecture. The art speaks to the increased inequities of coronavirus on vulnerable populations. There are portions of the population hoarding toilet paper, while there are others without access to these basic necessities. How will COVID-19 impact San Francisco's homeless population? -
2020-04-14
Lombard During Quarantine
This TikTok video is a time lapse of the famous Lombard Street in San Francisco. Lombard Street is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors line the streets waiting for a turn to drive down the curviest street in San Francisco. Lombard Street is typically packed with cars. This time lapse shows the dramatic decrease in tourism in San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic as Lombard Street is nearly empty. -
2020-04-14
At this point I miss taking BART too
This TikTok video features a college student highlighting the top San Francisco Bay Area places he wants to visit when quarantine ends. His wishes include Great American in Santa Clara, Pier 39 in San Francisco, Grizzly Peak in Berkeley, the Outlets of SF in Livermore, Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Twin Peaks in San Francisco, Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, Mission Peak in Fremont, and the Great Mall in Milpitas. The creator titled his video "At this point I miss taking BART too." BART is the public transit system that connects the Bay Area and is known for being overcrowded and often sketchy. This person must be desperate for a sense of normalcy to miss riding BART. -
2020-03-19
The Fog Will Wait For You
This TikTok video encourages San Francisco Bay Area residents to stay at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. There is a sense of community portrayed in the video. The overall message of the video is to relax, enjoy being home and know that everyone else is at home too. The video contains iconic San Francisco images, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Victorian homes, sea lions, the Castro Theater and Twin Peaks neon signs, and a trolley. This video was produced at the start of shelter-in-place orders when many believed that if we all did our part, life would return to normal in a matter of weeks. -
2020-06-26
Exploring...Finally
Our family has been following strict a shelter-in-place since March 13. We have only left the house for contactless grocery pick up and have visited the gas station once. Other than that, we have been isolated. Today, we decided that it would do us all some good to get some fresh air. We left for a favorite nearby hike as soon as we woke up to beat the crowds. We encountered a total of 10 people but were successfully able to keep our distance of 6-10 feet. All but 2 people were masked on the trail. It baffles me as to why people still refuse to wear masks. Especially in this situation in which they could easily remove the mask once they passed other people. Overall, the hike was wonderfully and did us all a lot of good. I was really impressed by my children who had no problems masking independently throughout the hike. -
2020-03-27
Luna Loca Offers Take-Out During California's Shelter-In-Place Orders
Following Contra Costa County's shelter-in-place orders, local restaurants began offering take-out and delivery options to keep their businesses alive. Many believed this would be the solution to a short term problem only to quickly realize this would be the new reality for months. Danville residents were quick to support local businesses by purchasing gift cards and ordering take-out and delivery. This screenshot shows a photograph of the Mexican food restaurant, Luna Loca. Luna Loca has been in business in Danville, California for 40 years. It is difficult to see a local institution that is typically bustling with customers so quiet. Hopefully their efforts, combined with community support, will allow them to weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2020-05-22
Social Distancing Circles
San Francisco parks are the cultural heart of the city. From Golden Gate Park to Dolores Park to Washington Square Park, each park has a unique personality. On a sunny day, which can be rare in this foggy city by the Bay, parks are typically full of locals sharing picnics, music and lawn games. A day at a San Francisco park when the sun is shining reminds many city dwellers of the reason why they continue to live in a city largely covered in fog for most of the year. As California began to lift the shelter-in-place orders at the end of May, San Francisco residents encountered social distancing circles. These circles were painted on the lawn of San Francisco's most popular parks to remind and encourage visitors to keep their distance from others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the San Francisco Chronicle and Reuters chose to highlight social distancing circles in San Francisco's famous Dolores Park. I am at once impressed by the measures the city is taking to encourage social distancing and the apparent respect that park patrons have for the social distancing circles. And also shocked at how many San Francisco residents are choosing to visit parks during a pandemic. -
2020-06-20
Coronavirus cases at San Quentin soar to 190; ‘they’re calling man down every 20 or 30 minutes’
A group of prisoners from Chino were recently transferred to San Quentin because of a COVID-19 outbreak. These prisoners were housed in a separate, yet connected, area from the residing San Quentin incarcerated population. San Quentin prisoners reported daily COVID-19 testing since the group arrived. 159 prisoners at San Quentin have now tested positive for COVID-19. The numbers are expected to continue to climb. Fear, anxiety, frustration and anger are running rampant as San Quentin attempts to contain the spread of the virus. -
2020-06-23
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 102
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. We've officially crossed over the 100 day mark! And still no hair cut for our son. We did venture out to a local toy store as we had officially ran out of puzzles. It was our first outing and we actually went into the toy store as a family. We all wore masks and did not touch anything during our time there. We were the only family in the store. It was definitely eerie but felt wonderful to be out and doing something normal. It also felt nice to support a local business owner that has undoubtedly struggled during this pandemic due to loss of business. We picked out two dinosaur puzzles. I'm certain we will be back for more puzzles soon. -
2020-06-20
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 99
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. It was dad's turn for a photo with the completed puzzle! These two had a lot of fun completing this puzzle together and did this in just one afternoon. Dad recently got his "summer cut" from his sister, a former hair stylist, that we live with. Our son continues to refuse to allow us to cut his hair. It is getting so long! Tomorrow we will have sheltered-in-place for 100 days. 100 DAYS. This was supposed to last 14 days. How much longer will this be our reality? -
2020-06-05
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 84
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. We had a major puzzle mishap! Our daughter spilled an entire cup of water on the puzzle. We tried to dry the pieces but it did not work. The pieces completely disintegrated! While we were disappointed that we could not finish the puzzle, we did learn to keep liquids away from puzzles. Also, check out his hair! Although he has easy access to a hair cut as we live with his aunt who used to be a hair stylist, he refuses to get his hair cut. There are so many people out there wanting a hair cut that they cannot get. And here he is refusing a hair cut he can get! Note the presence of a mask on our table. We ordered a few different styles for the kids to try on to make sure they are successfully able to wear them as our county begins to open back up. -
2020-05-28
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 76
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. We chose a collection of puzzles to complete together today. My son's hair is starting to grow again. I wonder if he'll be open to another hair cut soon. 2 hair cuts in quarantine? It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. This image also clearly captures "Gary the Octopus" a special project that we completed as part of my son's remote learning curriculum. -
2020-05-23
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 71
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. Immediately after he finished his first ever 1000 piece puzzle, he asked to do another one! He took a much more active role in sorting the pieces for this puzzle. It is so fun to lose ourselves in puzzling. It takes our minds off of the gravity of the world in which we live. Just looking at this photo, it is hard to believe that we are living in the middle of a pandemic. -
2020-05-19
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 67
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. After completing a number of 300 piece puzzles on his own, our son decided he was ready to move up and asked to do a 1000 piece puzzle! He let mom and dad help a lot more with this puzzle but primarily only to sort pieces. He never gave up and I am very impressed by his ability to work on a puzzle over multiple days without ever getting frustrated. -
2020-04-22
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 40
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. In this image, a glimpse of our family remote learning schedule and some school work are seen in the background. The presence of his "lovey" in hand is also a reminder to remember how young he is to be living during something as big as a pandemic. -
2020-04-19
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 37
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. He is easily completing 300 piece puzzles on his own! It's quite the feat for a child his age. -
2020-04-11
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 29
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. I love how this photo marks the passage of time for our son. We are sheltering-in-place with his aunt, who happens to cut hair. While all of the hair salons in our area are currently closed, he scored a fresh cut thanks to her! -
2020-04-07
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 25
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. -
2020-05-25
An Essential Worker Shares His Experience Of Working At A Clorox Plant
Clorox is a company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have a close friend that works for Clorox and they shared this interview with me. The interview captures the realities that COVID-19 is having on Clorox and its employees. The interview highlights the experience of Larry Wheeler, a senior packaging operator who has worked for the company for 29 years. Clorox employees are playing an essential role in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Wheeler's dedication and commitment to working as hard as possible for the common good is commendable. -
2020-06-16
Excited About Braces!
My niece was on the path to braces right before California's shelter-in-place orders were issued mid-March. This is her first time in braces, she is one of the first in her grade to get braces, and a handful of her older cousins have braces. The excitement and anticipation were at an all time high for her. And then she had to wait, and wait, and wait. Her orthodontist recently reopened and she was one of the first patients seen. My niece was thrilled to finally get her braces! I am impressed by the dental practice's adaptability and ability to make sure their young patients feel at ease even given the newness of the COVID-19 world. The first photo in this series shows my niece waiting outside. Patients are now required to wait in/by their cars and text the practice upon arrival. They are waved in when it is their turn to enter the office. The second photo shows my niece getting her braces from her orthodontist who is in full PPE. The third photo shows her with a complete set of braces and you can feel the joy radiating from her. The final photos are of her wonderful orthodontist that is taking every possible precaution to ensure that everyone is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2020-06-18
100 Days of Coronavirus in the Bay Area
Today I discovered the beautiful visual essay produced by the San Francisco Chronicle. The visual essay, entitled 100 Days of Coronavirus in the Bay Area, includes moments from the earliest days of the pandemic in the region. The visual essay is a collection of photographs and short videos, punctuated with small explanatory paragraphs, that beautifully captures the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic in the San Francisco Bay Area. While there are a number of notable moments included, the image of the original cruise ship carrying suspected COVID-19 patients entering the Bay and the shot of an almost entirely empty Bay Bridge are striking. I remember the day the cruise ship docked in Oakland. It felt like I was the only one I knew registering the gravity of impending pandemic. Submitted for the #sanfranciscobayarea collection. Contributed by Shanna Gagnon, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. -
2020-06-12
A Vegas-ish 40th Quarantine Style Birthday
At the start of 2020, my group of college friends planned a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate a dear friend's 40th birthday. As we all live in different areas of the country, it was clear by the start of April that the trip would not be happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After 20 years of friendship, we couldn't let a milestone like this pass us by. We decided to throw her an over the top Zoom birthday party. I put together party packs, complete with colorful wigs, dessert plates, confetti and cocktail stirrers, and sent to each party guest. The birthday girl's package had strict instructions directing her to wait to open right before the start of the party. Together, the guests made a photo slideshow that included the top 40 things that we love about our friend and read it to the guest of honor during the party. We also decided to make a cocktail together and brought our own desserts and candles so that we could sing to her. The group coordinated with her husband to make sure that she had the cocktail supplies and a dessert to join in the fun. It certainly wasn't what she had imagined for her 40th birthday. But it was unique, thoughtful, a lot of fun, and definitely a memory to last a life time. -
2020-04-07
Viva Las Vegas! CANCELLED
Contra Costa County COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders were announced on March 13, 2020. As is typical for me, my calendar was full of various activities in the summer months. I love summer! And, as a teacher, I have more freedom during the summer months to travel and to spend times with loved ones. One of the upcoming events I was most looking forward to was a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate one of my best friend from college's 40th birthday. Somewhere between college and now, life began to move at warp speed and we don't get as much time together as we would like. So, for many reasons, this was a major trip for us all. In early April, it was clear that the trip would no longer happen. We all received a text from the birthday girl letting us know the trip was officially cancelled. While I am sad, it is definitely the right decision. I am hopeful that 2021 will give us the opportunity to reschedule! It is hard to imagine that it could possibly be an entire year before we can all comfortably travel and be together once again. -
2020-05-30
A Garden Grows in Danville
At the start of the Bay Area's shelter-in-place orders, there was a lot of uncertainty about the food supply chain. Given that we live with a couple of high-risk individuals, we wanted to ensure that we had access to fresh food without risking exposure to COVID-19. We quickly got to work and planted squash, tomato, pumpkin, peppers and pea plants. We involved our children from the beginning and have had a lot of fun gardening as a family as it has brought us comfort and has been incredibly therapeutic during these trying and uncertain times. Preparing Garden Soil: March 28, 2020. Plants Begin to Sprout: April 15, 2020. A Garden Grows in Danville: May 30, 2020. -
2020-05-31
"This is the best meal of my life!"
Cousins, Claire Gagnon (1), Taylor Anderson (10), Jessie Anderson (6), Logan Gagnon (5), and Delaney Gagnon (8), have sheltered-in-place together since March 13, 2019. They have had incredible attitudes and have shown true resiliency in their abilities to process this new normal. After over 11 weeks of eating home cooked meals, the adults decided it was time for pizza delivery! The kids were ecstatic and exclaimed over and over, "This is the BEST meal of my life!" It was sweet to see them take such joy in something they likely took for granted before this experience. -
2020-06-09
#NoJusticeNoPeace Murals Blanket Downtown Oakland
Local Bay Area artists are creating powerful social justice themed murals on the plywood used to board up Oakland businesses that were impacted in the chaos of the protests that began May 29, 2020 and are continuing over two weeks later. The art is capturing specific and unique elements of the current protests. One mural depicts a protestor wearing a mask as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Black Lives Matter and George Floyd are the subjects of many of the pieces. One large piece of art includes an image of Brianna Noble, who rode a horse during the May 29, 2020 protests. Another includes the names of victims of police brutality; visible are Oscar Grant, Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. Finally, one mural reads "Oakland Is Still Proud." -
2020-06-06
Teens Organize Golden Gate Bridge Protests
The Golden Gate Bridge protest, that occured on June 6, 2020, was entirely organized and lead by two local East Bay youths. Tiana Day and Mimi Zoilia secured the permits that led to the first ever Black Lives Matter protest on the iconic San Francisco landmark. The outpouring of support for the pair has been strong. They have inspired youth across the San Francisco Bay Area to speak out for justice. Tiana's speech reveals the realities of growing up Black in what many consider to be an incredibly liberal region of the United States. -
2020-06-07
Making Us Matter Launches Official Website
Amidst school closures across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, University of San Francisco doctoral students, Eghosa Obaizamomwan Hamilton and Gertrude Jenkins, founded and launched Making Us Matter Virtual High School in March 2020. While educational equity issues compounded as a result of nation-wide school closures, Hamilton and Jenkins built an educational platform in which a collective of Black educators would create challenging and empowering curriculum focused on social justice and Blackness. Making Us Matter is offered, free of charge, to any student interested in curriculum focused on Black-inclusion. While educational institutions have scrambled in their attempts to serve students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Making Us Matter is a shining example of how educational leaders can disrupt education and build learning experiences that challenge the shortcomings of traditional educational models. -
2020-06-07
Bay Area Protesters Giggin' to E-40 in Oakland, California
Over a week into the protests following the death of George Floyd, San Francisco Bay Area protests took on a new vibe. Protesters marching from the Piedmont Police Department to the Oakland Police Department starting playing Bay Area rap legend E-40's arguably most popular song "Tell Me When To Go." Protesters, some of which were wearing masks due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, gigged (slang for "danced") to the Bay Area legend's song during their march. The San Francisco Bay Area culture is unlike any other. It was heartwarming to see the spirit of the Bay alive and well. #HST580, #ASU, #nojusticenopeace, #sanfranciscobayarea -
2020-06-06
Protestors Block Golden Gate Bridge Traffic
The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most iconic architectural landmark in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a resident of the area for the last 16 years, the Golden Gate Bridge holds a special place in my heart. On June 6, 2020, it was incredible to watch thousands of protesters fill the bridge to protest police brutality and racial injustices across the United States as a part of the larger protest movement that swept America in the aftermath of George Floyd's death. The crowd was so large they completely blocked traffic on one side of the bridge. The many images and videos taken of this moment beautifully preserve this historic moment. Many protesters marched masked as the protest occurred during strict COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, however, many others chose not to do so. -
2020-06-05
Love in the Time of COVID: Cheers to 10 Years!
June 5, 2020 marked our 10 year wedding anniversary. Due to the uncertainty of things, we had no plans to celebrate. Literally none. Our extended family, however, could not let this moment go uncelebrated. We live on the same property as my mother and father-in-law, as well as my sister-in-law and her 3 girls. They decided to surprise us with a dinner for two at "Cafe de Gagnon." They sent us an invitation asking us to dress our best and to knock on the door of my in-laws promptly at 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival, our 3 children greeted us, dressed to the nines, with warm smiles. They proceeded to serve us a multiple course dinner, prepared by my father-in-law. While it wasn't what we had imagined for our 10-year wedding anniversary, it was absolutely perfect. And a great reminder that true joy is possible during these challenging times. -
2020-05-29
Barbie in a Mask
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, so much has changed for our children. They have faced school closures, altered family dynamics, the loss of extracurricular activities and nationwide protests. The reality of this new unprecedented world is impacting how children are playing. This photograph was shared with me by a friend who was observing her daughter quietly playing in their backyard a couple of months into our region’s shelter-in-place orders (May 29, 2020). She went over to check on her daughter and noticed that she had placed a mask on her Barbie. The mom sent me the photo along with a text that read "Cute and clever but heartbreaking at the same time." This simple photograph shows how much our children are absorbing and adapting as they navigate life during a pandemic. Shelter-in-place orders in the San Francisco Bay Area have been more strict than in other areas in the state and throughout the country. Will children in this region be impacted in ways that other children will not? -
2020-06-01
Don't Talk, Just Listen
I was moved by a photograph that I saw of a protestor holding this painting in what appears to be a peaceful march in Sacramento, California. The message is clear - it is time for America's leaders, and for all of America, to listen. -
2020-06-05
They Are Our Future: Youth and Protest in the San Francisco Bay Area
Youth and children played an integral role in the protests that occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area in the aftermath of George Floyd's death. They showed courage and strength as they peacefully protested and advocated for change. Our children deserve to grow up in communities where they feel safe and accepted for the beautiful individuals that they are. -
2020-05-31
A tiger is on the loose in Oakland, California!
Amidst protests and COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, Bay Area news sources reported that a tiger was on the loose in Oakland, California around 8:40 p.m. the night of May 31, 2020. The internet went wild as locals were on high alert for a tiger roaming the streets. By 8:52 p.m., the Oakland Zoo announced via Twitter that all of their tigers were accounted for. The Twitter-sphere went wild with humorous responses. My personal favorite response came from the Twitter account @Attorney@Law when they replied, "That's exactly what a tiger would say. Please confirm you are not a tiger." -
2020-06-03
Golden State Warriors Protest
During the recent protests sweeping the Bay Area, Warrior's basketball players Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson joined a protest led by fellow teammate, and native of Oakland, Juan Toscano-Anderson. Toscano-Anderson's "Unity March" took place at Lake Merritt in Oakland. Peaceful protestors chanted George Floyd and Breonna Taylor's names as they walked around the lake. Curry and Thompson are beloved leaders throughout the Bay Area. Their decision to publicly participate in the protests showed their depth of character and further demonstrates their unwavering commitment to their local communities. -
2020-06-03
This Girl Is On Fire! Children Join Bay Area Protests
The Twitter page, run by the independent news and media outlet Warriors Talk, posted a video of a young girl chanting "no justice, no peace" during the recent protests in the San Francisco Bay Area. Protests spread throughout the country, including the Bay Area, following George Floyd's death on May 25, 2020. The large presence of children in the protests has been especially noticeable. -
2020-05-29
Protests Erupt Across Bay Area
In the days following the death of George Floyd, the San Francisco Bay Area erupted with protests. San Jose and Oakland were two of the first cities in which large groups of protestors took to the streets. Peaceful protestors were met with police in riot gear and risked the threat of tear gas or arrest. Protests intensified as people moved to block local freeways, like Interstate 880 in Oakland. In the aftermath of the protests in San Jose and Oakland, protests spread across the entire Bay Area. Defying local COVID-19 shelter in place ordinances, nearly every city and town in the area held a protest during the week that followed. -
2020-06-02
A New Perspective on "Child Looks Into Barrel of Rubber Bullet Gun During Protests in Long Beach, California"
Photographer, Richard Grant, captured a photo of a child sitting atop their father's shoulders during the Long Beach, California protests that followed George Floyd's death. It appears as if the cops in the photograph are pointing a rubber bullet gun directly at the father and child. The photographer recently posted the unedited photograph to Instagram and a caption stating that the photograph is not fake and that he does not believer the officer was intentionally or directly pointing the gun at the father and child. This statement by Richard Grant combats one of the reasons that perhaps the photograph went viral in the first place. Namely, that the officer was deliberately pointing the gun directly at the child. "First thing the photo is not fake. It is not Photoshopped. What I saw through the viewfinder is what is here. There was color correction and cropping so it could look better on Instagram when I posted it. I have stated before that I do not believe in the 1/500th of a second that the picture was made in that the officer was aiming at the man with the child. This is an uncropped photo with no color correction. I used a 24 -70mm lens at 70mm and f 3.5." Deliberate or not, the photograph reminds us to stop and think about the impact the events of 2020 are having on our children today and in the future. -
2020-06-01
Child Looks Into Barrel of Rubber Bullet Gun During Protests in Long Beach, California
Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020, protests erupted across the nation. During protests in Long Beach, California, Richard Grant captured a striking image of a cop pointing a rubber bullet gun at a father with his child on his shoulders. Children across the United States today are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and a large scale civil rights movement. What short and long term impacts will these moments have on our children?