Judging America Challenges Our Preconceived Notions About Others

Joel Parés, a former U.S. Marine turned photographer, traveled the world for 5 years while in the service and during that time his eyes were opened to the many different cultures and people of the world. Seeing how these stark differences exist here at home as well, and the way they affect our society, he created Judging America, a photo series which aims to challenge our prejudices we hold about people based on their appearance.

While we may see tattoos and baggy clothes, what we often don’t realize is the amazing things that the person behind that facade has done. Rather than judging by ethnicity, profession, or sexual orientation, Parés asks us to judge only on one’s merit. For that person whom we assume is a criminal or lowlife may actually be a famous painter, CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or a brilliant mind working their way through school.