What Does It Mean To Be American? by Yetunde Smalls

America was forged with freedom as its foundational concept. The year 1776 is arguably the birth of the United States. The initial sentiment of the first settlers was to break away from the tyranny of Britain with the purpose of etching an identity of self- governance and religious freedom. In short, a life without persecution. The framework for an American identity was formed within that year. Its purpose was not racially or culturally motivated, but instead, it was to posit itself as a seed within the consciousness of the newly settled occupants based on the foundational concept of freedom. Initially, the construction of an American identity was to represent an idea; an idea of freedom and justice for all. An idea that all men are created equal. The new Americans shared a common experience of tyranny and now their success would be marked by the newly forged identity of America. Despite the intentions of American identity, the reality is that soon after that identity was shaped, there was an immediate departure from the concept, i.e. slavery; which magnified the contradictions in an American identity, introducing race as a major factor in accessing an American identity. In this new context American identity is geared towards one type of people, those of Anglo-Saxon descent. In theory, the construction of an American identity encompasses people of different nationalities and ethnicities, but history shows that American identity is reserved exclusively for a select group of individuals and those who are outside the margin must fight for the right to claim an American identity. This photo series encompasses those who are on the margin, bringing beauty to those areas that are often overlooked as an alternative to “American” identity.

Writing By Yetunde Smalls