Speed of Life

by Gregg Chadwick Sometimes an image can cut through ignorance and provide a context for understanding and empathy. Today two photos from the more than 100 Justice for Trayvon Martin Rallies across the country struck me deeply: Black Life Matters from #JusticeforTrayvon Rally, July 20, 2013 in Atlanta Georgia photo via @ajc and @thinkprogress I Am Not A Suspect from  #JusticeforTrayvon Rally, July 20, 2013 in New York City

President Obama's Remarks About the Killing of Florida Teenager Trayvon Martin and "Stand Your Ground" Laws on Friday, July 19, 2013 at the White House ( full transcript and video) The reason I actually wanted to come out today is not to take questions, but to speak to an issue that obviously has gotten a lot of attention over the course of the last week, the issue of the Trayvon Martin ruling. I gave a preliminary statement right after the ruling on Sunday, but watching the debate over the course of the last week I thought it might be useful for me to expand on my thoughts a little bit. First of all, you know,  I want to make sure that, once again, I send my thoughts and prayers, as well as Michelle’s, to the family of Trayvon Martin, and to remark on the incredible grace and dignity with which they have dealt with the entire situation. I can only imagine what they’re going through, and it’s remarkable how they’ve handled it. The second thing I ...

by Gregg Chadwick   Today in Ireland, Bruce Springsteen dedicated his powerful song 41 Shots (American Skin) with a call to justice for Trayvon Martin. The verdict in the Zimmerman case was tainted by the stench of ALEC's odious "Stand Your Ground" legislation.  "Stand Your Ground" laws are abhorrent. They are fundamentally biased. A recent study has shown that white people who kill black people in 'Stand Your Ground' states are 354% more likely to be  acquitted of murder.  Denise, an active duty US Marine, wrote a compelling argument against the jury's decision on twitter tonight, "If a man watches a woman while he is in his SUV, follows that woman in the dark  and  kills her because she fought him. Is he justified?" As I write, more than one million  Americans have signed petitions demanding federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman. There is no doubt that Zimmerman killed Trayvon and yet has not  spoken  one word...

Today's sad verdict - a reminder of Gil Scott-Heron's song "Winter in America"  http:// youtu .be/kcHOq8i5Pyk   ‪#‎ TrayvonMartin‬  nod to @ texyellowdogdem

Saatchi Online  ‏ @ saatchionline 2h " Il Poeta di Milano" by Gregg Chadwick # DOD2013 # 7DaysOfDesign # art Visit us at Booth 1300 @ Dwell On… http:// instagram.com/p/a1ftk7jQZi/   Gregg Chadwick Il Poeta di  Milano (The Poet of Milan) 24"x18" oil on linen 2012 Dwell on Design Dwell on Design, America’s largest design event,  returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center  June 21-23, 2012. Curated by the editors of  Dwell  magazine,  the three-day celebration brings together  the best and brightest products, services,   and thought leaders in modern design today  for a series of conversations, demonstrations, tours,  and much more.  In addition to featuring over 350 exhibitors on the show floor,  Dwell on Design encourages an ongoing design dialogue,  showcasing over 70 presentations on three separate stages.  LEARN MORE Show...

by Gregg Chadwick Yesterday in Coventry, Bruce Springsteen dedicated a live full-album performance of  Born to Run  to the recently-departed actor James Gandolfini. Born to Run is a cinematic album that conjures up the  noirish romance of New York and New Jersey seen through the eyes of a youthful protagonist. Unspoken desires and Jersey lowlifes haunt this character as he roams a landscape of broken dreams from the break of day until the dark morning hours.   Gandolfini's characters seemed to embody this endless search for something more, something bigger, something more real.  Gandolfini will be deeply missed. Video: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Play Meeting Across The River  for James Gandolfini in Coventry on June 20, 2013 Little Steven and James Gandolfini on April 7, 2002, during a Hard Rock Cafe Presents "Little Steven's Underground Garage" radio show at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. photo by Kevin Mazur / Wi...

Communicating the loss of a loved one is never easy. It is best done in person but words alone can also provide light in a difficult time. With deep sadness I have to send  on  news about the death of our beloved family member Hannah Johnson. Hannah passed away Sunday night in a traffic accident, and her husband Matt is fighting for his life in a hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. ( Update on Hannah's Husband Matt:  Matt is coherent, awake, conversant and stood up today!!) Hannah believed deeply that all are created equal and that we all deserve an equal share of human rights. Hannah worked tirelessly for marriage equality in California and New Jersey.  Pictured in this New York Times photo from 2009 is my courageous family member Hannah Johnson tearing up as she applauds a New Jersey Senate committee vote on a bill to legalize gay marriage.  The struggle continues in New Jersey and in California photo  by Richard Perry / New Yor...