This project originated when the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania asked me to volunteer my services and photograph the 2018 Pittsburgh Pride march. I normally don’t photograph people, but I found this opportunity to expand my visual vocabulary a compelling one. On the day of the march, I arrived early to photograph the marchers as they assembled, and then I found a street corner to capture the movement.
Several days later, I awoke with memories of listening to Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People.” Instead of playing a “45,” I listened to it streaming and then read the lyrics and found them relevant to today’s LGBTQ community. So I titled this project as such.
Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a blue one who can't accept the green one
For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
Oh sha sha we got to live together
I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do
You love me you hate me you know me and then
You can't figure out the bag I'm in
I am everyday people, yeah yeah
There is a long hair that doesn't like the short hair
For bein' such a rich one that will not help the poor one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
Oh sha sha we got to live together
There is a yellow one that won't accept the black one
That won't accept the red one that won't accept the white one
And different strokes for different folks
And so on and so on and scooby dooby doo
I am everyday people
Songwriters: Sylvester Stewart
Everyday People lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
