Cultural Assimilation

The image of the American flag painted on the female figure becomes a landscape altered by the splattering of multicolored paint drops.These drops, symbolizing immigrant cultures, do not assimilate into the current landscape instead they mix to create an organic array of colors and textures.
No culture lives in stagnation and no culture is left behind. Like fresh paint on fresh paint, they will blend continuously into unforeseen patterns.

Walter's deportation deferred

July 2, 2009. A day before Walter's deportation was due, the call came from his lawyer to let him know that his mandatory leaving date would be deferred to July 3, 2010. Through this action, Department of Homeland Security administrators demonstrate that they can listen, that steps can be taken to consider humanity within current policies. It shows their faith in the Dream Act, which will make a path towards citizenship available for Walter and thousands of other young students in the US.
The deferral decision was made thanks to state and federal legislators as well as activists who came together to advocate for this particular case. It was truly the example of a case being made public to build community support and achieve administrative changes. In a case like this, in which so many people came together to, in the most reasonable and honest way, look at the law and say, this needs to change, the rule of law is upheld and it is so by understanding that it needs to be flexible, that it needs to breathe and reason. It needs to ask questions and change.
Is Walter American? what does that mean? is someone who was born in the US and lived in a different country for their whole life American? They are citizen's, but are they defined by the place where they were born or by the culture they grew up in? This shows the contradictions that arise when rights are handed or taken away on grounds that we as individuals have no control of. Is Walter less American because he was born in a different country? Are his rights different from those of a citizen?
If the distinction is made by something that we cannot control, like skin color, race, or something that goes to our family heritage like religion, then the barbarism is evident. It will only be so long before the collective resolution is that the place where you are born will not affect your right to live in a country, to work or to move freely. It will only be so long before a majority understands and speaks publicly about freedom covering and embracing all the aspects that make each human being unique.

more details on Walter's deferral
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/07/deportation-delayed-for-student-23-who-didnt-know-he-was-undocumented.html

Stop Walter's Deportation

Walter was in Washington DC last week along side 500 other students from across the nation. They were advocating for the passing of the Dream Act while representing undocumented students who want to get an education but cannot access it due to current policies. If the Dream Act passes, law will not longer be a barrier standing against Walter's rightful life in the US. 

Simple Assault?

Shenandoah, PA. July 2008, a group of college football stars beat a fellow human being to death for no apparent reason. Those found guilty were charged with simple assault.
full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/us/03pottsville.html



In this image, the silhouettes of the attackers contrast the victim in color, motion and power. They represent the commonality and pervasiveness of violence in American culture that instills the mind through sports, through indifference and through pure barbaric actions. The background, a cropping of the American flag, symbolizes the colonization of land that forms the Republic and supplements the colonizing act of humiliation perpetrated by the figures.

Hernando