JF Ptak Science Books Post 1890
This is an image of an engineered redemption, found in the mist of Placquemines Parish, Louisiana, in 1939. There is no doubt in my mind that the author, Mr. E. Riche, was done with running from whatever it was that was chasing him--printing his truth would no doubt cut it down. "I am wrong arrested" Mr. Riche says, and wants "help from the public eye".
Oh my g_d. If this isn't a Mr. Cash song, I don't know what is.
This is a photograph of fantastic humanity, of a person witnessing for themselves, stating their beleift, defending their honor, exploring the present, and staking a very visual land claim in reality. And then--with all that said, all of this person's dignity and belief displayed for everyone to see--the author lives in the sign he or she created. It is as though someone has engineered a three-dimensional public-philosophical house in which to live, and then actually lives there.
As a testament to a simple call to fairness and justice, this image is an extraordinary and powerful reminder to the power of spirit. For some reason I can feel this person's letter down to the cellular level.
[Transcription follows. Words that I can't make out are represented so [ ? ]:
Read the history of my life. 45/
years old born June 30th 1___?
Don't steal don't murder don't lie and Never was arrested in my/
Life. Decent [ ? ] Gave a handcuff to handcuff me for telling/
the truth. Do you think it would be an [ ? ] to handcuff/
Me [ ? ] The Life Server is for flow of that it crossed/
Judge Perez, his two children, his wife and his brother/
But Mr. Dautrevel (?) asked could I prove it I said yes and he/
asked who crossed him I said a/
boy he also asked [ ? ] pay him and /
looked for change [ ? ]/
I am wrong arrested. I am/
Ready for Trial I want/
help from the public eye."
Source: Library of Congress FSA Collection, photograph by John Vachon, Placquemines Parish, Louisiana. Signs along the highway, 1939.
Appropriate background listening:
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