In Transit (Times Square, New York), 2003/2004
© Birgitta LUND Lauréat 2005 de la Fondation CCF pour la Photographie

John Patrick Naughton
"Seeing American," a photographic essay

“Seeing America,” began as a natural outgrowth of photographs I took on September 11, 2001. I wanted to know how immigrants feel about the current White House administration. I wanted to know how they see the American people. Most importantly I wanted to know how they view America in this historic moment.
Since that time some of my immigrant friends have applied for citizenship in other countries; some have left New York State and others have left America all together. In over forty interviews I have learned that life has not been easy for them. America has been both a dream and a disappointment. Yet their strength and perseverance remains an inspiration.
There is no greater a compliment that one people can give another than to share in their dream of democratic ideals—even if those ideals are under siege. Would Americans do the same—sacrifice so much for something they knew so little about? History tells us they would. But history has changed. And how we see America has changed as well.