A Conversation With The World: Lonnie Graham

A Conversation with the World is a simple question and answer interchange between the photographer and interviewees chosen at random. From a template of eight questions on eight themes—origins, family, life, death, values, tradition, connections, and Western culture—interviewees voice their responses from their own distinctive cultural standpoint. From culture to culture, the responses are the same, and voice the same basic human needs.

A survey of this sort serves to help clarify some preconceptions we hold about one another. Photographer Lonnie Graham envisions that these conversations will lead to the understanding and acceptance of our shared human experience, promoting a climate in which people are more likely to seek one another for support, rather than reject each other out of ignorance. Within the pool of cognition, fear is dispelled and understanding prevails.