Arbus and the Crowd

(Photo by Diane Arbus)

I've been reading "Diane Arbus: Revelations." The photos always compel me, but this time it is the writing that is getting under my skin. Her brother was the poet Howard Nemerov, and talent must have simply been a genetic gift that graced and cursed that family. Her letters and journals are marvelous. This photo of a boy at a political rally as well as some photos I have recently seen by Mark Tucker inspired me to go to an Obama rally yesterday. I went for selfish reasons, only to take photographs. I parked illegally in a parking lot and worried the entire time that my car would be towed away. When I pulled out my Leica M7, the battery was dead, and I didn't have a spare, so I had to set my camera on 1/60 of a second and guess at my exposures. I don't know if I got any good photos, but I sure had fun. People were very happy, excited and nice, and only two people said no when I asked if I might photograph them. There were no suits in the crowd. These were working class people who were hopeful and excited. They were young and old, brown, black, yellow, and white. There was a palpable energy that ran through them all. I am a cynic by nature and not very susceptible to yea saying, so some of what went on was shocking to me. When people chant in unison, I feel a certain amount of fear. There was a rabidity that struck me when I heard "O-BAM-A, O-BAM-A," but it was a rally, so I guess there is little else to do. They weren't goose-stepping or anything, but I get these terrible images.

One on one with the people, though, was more than pleasant. This is a loosely-joined crowd, diverse people brought together by a few common causes. The campaign music reflects the difficulty of holding the coalition together, a crazy quilt of soul, easy listening, country, and rock. But just seeing all this craziness brought together peacefully is enough to make you happy.

I must find a McCain rally to attend. I want to feel the difference. There is sure to be another vibe.

But make no mistake about it, the country has deep problems to solve. I am reminded of Hemingway's short story title, "Winner Take Nothing."