To Majority Minority

The word immigrant conjures up families passing through Ellis Island or young men climbing across the southwest border fence. The America of yesterday, filled with immigrants of European descent is giving way to a new multi-colored and multicultural America. By 2050 “minority” populations in the U.S. will become the majority of the population. In this new multi-colored America, we need to reframe our understanding of our newest immigrants in terms of their cultures, religions and stories.

In this project, I explore the generational transition from immigrant to native within families, starting with portrait photographs from these immigrant’s albums. These old photographs reflect where they have come from, revealing family histories and shared stories of immigration. The final portrait animation helps us empathize with these new Americans beyond the stereotype of the family at Ellis Island or the presumed terrorist.