FOR SEVEN weeks I took pictures in the Perkins Homes, Flag House and Lafayette courts public housing projects. We took pictures of kids playing, community role models, the recreation center, churches, people at work and people doing things at home.
Of all the pictures that I took, the most memorable was of Christopher Payne Sr. In the picture he was standing in front of his store, Deb's Place. This picture meant the most to me for two reasons: He was the only black owner of a convenience store in the area (at Central Avenue and Lombard Street) and he was murdered a few weeks after I took the picture. (Mr. Payne, 29, was gunned down in his Randallstown home in the 3900 block of Shenton Road on July 27. Police spokesman E. Jay Miller said that as Mr. Payne's wife, Debra, her 3-year-old son and a female friend arrived home from shopping, several men forced their way into the home and ordered them to lie down. Mr. Payne, who was armed with a handgun, was shot in the head, and one of the intruders, Gary Dickens, 30, was fatally wounded. Three men fled the scene and commandeered a pizza delivery car from its driver. Frederick Pate, 29, of the 2100 block of E. Pratt St., was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the incident.)
One of my favorite pictures was of my family eating dinner in our home. I liked this picture because it shows family togetherness.
Another picture that I liked was of the leaves outside the building where the Greater Baltimore Medical Center's family center is located on East Baltimore Street. The leaves were blowing in the wind, and looked so beautiful and peaceful.
When I saw such positive things in my community I wondered why they aren't shown on the television news. Why are only the negative things, such as the murders, people selling drugs and drug-abusing parents shown on the news?
Why don't they show the recreation centers where kids can be tutored after school, the churches and, more important than that, the families?
When it came to the last day of the program I was sad and relieved. When they called my name to get my certificate and award I was so pleased.
The Jonestown Photodocumentation Project gave me a chance to expand my mind and express my thoughts about my community. It also opened my eyes to many new and exciting opportunities. Where I go now is up to me.
-- Japonicka Jones, a seventh-grade student at Charles Carroll of Carrollton School in Baltimore, was one of nine youngsters enrolled in the photodocumentation program of the City Life Museums, which will exhibit their work in September.