Tish Lampert

In 2000 I set out to look for America, because the country felt so divided after the presidential election. I was in search of a visual template that defines today's dissent. I have been back and forth across the country with my camera taking the pulse. The spectrum is full: students, soldiers, politicians, artists, theologians, policemen, teachers, housewives, union members, the unemployed. My wide lens reveals the stories of countless citizens demanding to be heard. Those who have never protested before and those who are unafraid to risk arrest from militarized crowd control.

How do we keep activism alive beyond the theatrics of demonstrations? I wanted this photographic series to reflect the meaning in our outrage; to capture the adrenaline that sparks a revolution; to shine a light on everyday injustices that mainstream media ignores; to find empathy for one another, to encourage the next generation to shape their democracy.