Illegal Immigration and The Power of Art

Illegal Immigration is one of those topics up there with Gay Marriage and Health Care when it comes to debatable issues going on in politics right now. As a result of my previous post on political and economic chaos, I would like to go on to say that photography, or any kind of art for that matter, truly can have an impact when it comes to political movements or revolutions. While there are many examples of art changing stuff, I'm here to mention a particular current-day project that has been planted in my mind for quite some time.

While I am rather biased when it comes to illegal immigration, I know many people, friends and family members (ahem, hi mom) that would argue for days, weeks, months, and/or years that immigration hurts Americans and our money. We have gangs, less job opportunities, unpaid taxes, and ah... what's the word? Terrorism. All because of illegal immigrants coming into the US chasing that American dream. Unless, of course, they are wanting to destroy it with bombs and so on. Although, I'm partially convinced we can take care of that part ourselves with the help of fabulous leaders such as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

Personally, I have lost, or at least become greatly distanced from one of my best friends due to these wacky, senseless, yet logical(?) laws. It's not only painful for his family and friends here in the US with consideration that he has been here since childhood, but he is now (basically) alone wavering between Ukraine and Russia. I get to frequently hear the battle he's been living through and the pain and confusion that comes along with it. I've even shed a few, hell, a lot of tears myself. But I will say that while he was here, he was an extremely hard worker and union member. He even helped build Hotlanta's very own Atlantic Station. He even paid taxes(!), that crazy immigrant.

However, when referring to "Illegal Immigrants", I believe it's safe to say that what most Americans actually mean is Hispanics, generally in reference to Mexicans.

                                                                          Backpack Scars, 2009 

All that being said, photographer David Taylor might give us a bit of insight into illegal immigration and all that entails from the United States Border. Taylor has taken his camera down to the US/Mexican border to document the area between El Paso/Juarez and Tijuana/San Diego in developing his series Working the Line. While Taylor's project began as an effort to document monuments that mark the international boundary west of the Rio Grande, the series has since extended to include his encounters with migrants, smugglers, Border Patrol, minutemen and residences of the borderlands.  All of which, 99% of Americans have never and will never see. I would agree with Taylor in saying that these are locations and situations that most people have not accessed and, therefore, do not consider when debating and ranting about those "border jumpers".

                                                                             Apprehension, 2008

In retrospect, these images are extremely powerful to those of us who don't really know and understand the personal struggles, journeys, and risks these people take when they decide that America is where they want/need to be. Taylor gives us a first-hand look into the world of immigrants and border patrol, allowing us to have an impersonal connection to these people and what the hell is actually going on. The journey is a long one and very few actually make it across. Not to mention, most of these men and women are coming here to help their families back home. I don't know if you've ever taken a family road trip in a car, but try taking your entire family backpacking through the desert and hoping they survive. Yeah, look's like you might be traveling alone. The American Dream that most of these people are chasing are closely related to how America was founded in the first place. Don't believe me? In the American Dream, first expressed by James Truslow Adams in 1931,

Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Let's not forget to mention the Native Americans annihilated along the way in order to establish this so-called American Dream (I am proud, yet saddened, to say that I personally have strong Cherokee roots).

So, the American Dream is an effort to suggest that the United States of America is a place where all men are treated equally and are endowed with inalienable Rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Oh, and by the way, the original Declaration of Independence said "life, liberty and property." And by property, Jefferson meant access to wealth, money and the right to own land. But then we decided that sounded bad (especially when we discuss slavery), so we called it happiness instead. Unless you're an illegal immigrant according to the US government, you're created equal. Even though all Americans are immigrants, which I'm certain isn't a surprise to any of you.

Is immigration an easy fix? Of course not. I would be an idiot to sit here and say we can all hold hands and sing songs of peace to make the bad times go away. As we all know, terrorism tends to be frowned upon and our secured borders are, in part, a result of that. But are we handling it the right way? Should we break apart families and destroy lives for people who are actually helping us prosper? And while I have not included supporting statistics and studies to show that there are actually benefits to having immigrants (stay tuned), you may be surprise to find out that if we were to actually deport all of the illegal immigrants from the present day, the US economy would literally crash.

                                                                           Awaiting Processing, AZ, 2007

I believe David Taylor's photographs can, at the very least, help us view the Illegal Immigration issue from a different angle. He does appear to have an unbiased approach to his photographs and presents an opportunity for us to learn.

"Who's using who? What should we do? Well, you can't be a pimp
and a prostitute too."

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