april, 2024 - I traveled by car along the United States’ southern border from San Diego, California to El Paso, Texas. The border wall as my guide, I discovered Americans living on the edges of society ALONGSIDE THOSE TRAVELING FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE IN THIS LAND.

NEAR COLUMBUS, NEW MEXICO | APRIL 13, 2024

I traversed just under 3000 miles through barren deserts, native reservations, national parks, and remote cities to uncover a story of America not typically depicted in the current media landscape.

Various narratives regarding the southern border captivate the nation’s ATTENTION as the 2024 election inches closer.

the following is a photographic essay - a dying tradition in times of contemporary media consumption - of my journey through this forgotten BUT ESSENTIAL TERRITORY OF AMERICA THAT IS RAPIDLY AFFECTING CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE ROAD TRIP HAS PROVEN TO BE A CORNERSTONE IN THE LIVES AND WORKS OF MANY GREAT AMERICAN ARTISTS. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND WRITERS WHO I HAVE STUDIED PREVIOUSLY TRAVEL WEST, IN SEARCH OF NEW LANDS AND ADVENTURE.

TRAVELING EAST PROVED TO BE AN EXPERIENCE NO PREPARATION COULD HAVE FULLY EQUIPPED ME FOR. EACH DAY BECAME INCREASINGLY BIZARRE. WHAT WAS UNFOLDING BECAME INCREASINGLY MIND-BENDING.

IN TIMES OF CHAOS AND UNCERTAINTY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHTS AND PROTECT THAT WHICH WE TREASURE. WE MUST NOT FORGET THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN OUR RIGHTS AND OUR PRIVILEGES.

I AM A 25-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN-BORN CHINESE CONCERNED CITIZEN. I AM THE SON AND GRANDSON OF IMMIGRANTS. I HAVE NO FINANCIAL OR POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS OR INCENTIVES. I SPOKE WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS I COULD, FROM RECEPTIONISTS AND CASHIERS TO BORDER PATROL OFFICERS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.

I FELT A CIVIC DUTY TO WITNESS AND DOCUMENT A PART OF AMERICA THAT HAS BEEN HIGHLY POLITICIZED. MY REPORTING IS AS OBJECTIVE AS I CAN BE.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

— Constitution of the United States. First Amendment