Optical Realities is an organization that uses photojournalism and educational outreach to raise public awareness about world events, cultures, and the environment. We seek to use our first-hand knowledge and experiences in impoverished and war-torn areas of the world to advocate for economic and social justice.

Through photo exhibits, presentations, and our website, www.opticalrealities.org, we challenge and address conventional " First World " stereotypes at all levels in an attempt to dissolve prejudices and hostile feelings that often stem from misinformation or a lack of knowledge. We encourage participation in a variety of projects, including our "micro projects," which seek to nurture growth in understanding and compassion towards a variety of human rights issues, as well as provide economic and social empowerment to communities around the world.

* A majority of the proceeds from the sale of photos displayed at exhibits or purchased online help to fund our ongoing educational campaigns and outreach to communities affected by war, internal conflict, and ecological devastation. And as part of our mission, every attempt is made to send back copies of photos to the individuals and communities shown throughout our website.

BACKGROUND

Optical Realities was founded in 2002 by Linda Panetta, who brought a 20-year history of active commitment to the empowerment of women, the promotion of economic justice, and the advocacy of environmental and human rights in war and conflict zones throughout Latin America and the Middle East , as well as in economically challenged regions of the US .

Since its founding Optical Realities has made investigative, documentary and service trips to Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico (Chiapas and Oaxaca), Nicaragua, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Chile,  Panama, Venezuela and Haiti.  Along with the subsequent presentations, publications and exhibits that follow these trips, all attempts are made to send photos back to the visited communities to serve as memorabilia and tools for political and social change.

Photos and reports are used here in the U.S. and around the world in both the mainstream and alternative media, for educational outreach in classrooms, to lobby and advocate for greater peace and justice, on website and other internet outlets, and have been used on CD covers and articles highlighting the work of several musicians.  Artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Utah Phillips, Janis Ian, Pat Humphreys & Sandy Opatow, Charlie King and Karen Brandow, Pete Seeger and the R&B trio the Chestnut Brothers are just a few who have actively collaborated with us. A sampling of advocacy groups that we have offered our services to and have collaborated on issues with include the Liberty Center for Survivors of Torture, Pax Christi USA, Global Exchange, Corazon de Quetzal, Mayan International League, Amnesty International, SOA Watch, American Friend Service Committee, Families Members Speak Out, 9-11 Families for A Peaceful Tomorrow, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, the San Carlos Foundation, and the SHARE Foundations, as well as across the country in universities, primary and secondary ed forums and a variety of ecumenical settings.

Optical Realities has also worked in collaboration with many other social justice groups and on issues such as immigrant and farm-worker rights, the support of survivors of torture and issues relating to civil liberties.