Privileged

Privileged priv·i·leged priv(ə)lijd adjective having special rights, advantages, or immunities. As a career photojournalist, I have been photographing issues about immigration for decades. My intimate experience with this subject has allowed me to witness the hypocrisy of today’s immigration policies. It has also made me keenly aware that I too am an immigrant, a white immigrant. In this time of heightened scrutiny of immigrants from some parts of the world I am deeply troubled by what is happening and at the same time acutely aware of the advantages being a white immigrant has granted me. My project “Privileged” is a reaction to the disparities I recognize because of the color of my skin. In “Privileged” I juxtapose staged photographs of my white skin with images I have taken, while working as a photojournalist, that speak to different aspects of immigration. “Privileged” represents my personal experience as well as the current “sacredness” of white United States of America and the perceived ”invasion” by people who do not look liked the privileged group. Note: the underlying “white skin” images have been partially re-touched to give a “pristine” fake reality leaving the hidden part underneath each “immigration” image un-retouched. When presented as a print the smaller “immigration” image is hinged on top of the larger “white skin” image and can be lifted to reveal the truth underneath.