A Matter of Heart
Artists for Human Rights in Latin America

 
Velma Barber

Untitled, Part 1 and Part 2

 
Part 1 -
"Torture comes in many varieties.  There's the torture directly inflicted on individuals by weapons and intimidation.  Racism, classism, sexism and poverty are torture experienced and perpetrated by groups of people.  Any kind of torture leaves everyone involved -- perpetrator & victim, family and friends and community of both -- distrustful, disconnected, and lonely.  That loneliness is, in itself, another kind of torture."
 

 

  

 

Part 2 -
"Not extranjeros, foreigners, these potential targets of torture, but treasured friends, amigos, of my friends, two white Americans living among brown-skinned niņos, children.  My friends offer hope to these young people, a vision outside of la pobreza, poverty, and la soledad, loneliness.  My friends reflect back to me the power of taking action.  What can I do to make a difference?"