Judging America: Photographer Challenges Our Prejudice By Alternating Between Judgment and Reality
Joel Parés, a U.S. Marine-turned-professional photographer, has created an interesting photo series that seeks to question the ugly prejudices that many of us harbor, to one extent or another, against groups of people different from ourselves.
Parés’ photo series at first presents us with characters symbolic of the prejudices suffered by various groups based on their ethnicity, socio-economic status or sexual preference. Then, however, they show us the real people behind these often false characters – the violent gangster turns out to be a Harvard graduate and an exhausted gardener turns out to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
“Many of us are in the habit of judging others incorrectly by ethnicity, by their profession, and by their sexual interest,” Parés told PetaPixel about his photo ideas. “The purpose of this series is to open our eyes for social issues and make us think twice before judging someone because we all judge even if we try not to.”
More info: joelpares.com | Facebook | 500px (h/t: petapixel)
Harvard graduate Jefferson Moon
New York City nurse Sahar Shaleem
Pastor/Missionary Jack Johnson
Fortune 500 CEO Edgar Gonzalez
Stanford Graduate School student Sammie Lee
Iraq Combat Veteran Jacob Williams
Widowed mother of 3 Jane Nguyen
iPhone app inventor Joseph Messer
Family outreach program founder Ben Alvarez
Famous painter Alexander Huffman
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Share on FacebookI think this is kinda dumb. You could put a scowl on anyone and they would be threatening, not to mention a gun... noose, or a knife.
It's not about how they are smiling...It's how people PERCEIVE them. These people could be smiling &people would STILL see them as mean.
Load More Replies...I think this is shallow, intellectually dishonest & dumb. If you don't *know* a person- all you have as quick judgement is their attire
I don't understand. OF COURSE we judge by surroundings! If they are holding guns, I'm not likely to hang around and make polite conversation
No, i think the point here is that people percieve them as those stereotypes they're not actually dressed that way.
Load More Replies...I think that is clever. But, there are stereotypes everywhere. I'm stereotyped as a Californian.
My best friend lives in OC. Can you imagine! Those darn wives! Lol
Load More Replies...Who on earth, gay or not, would write 'queer' on their chest. Why not 'I'm just like everyone else, don't treat me differently please!'
Old saying "Cloths make the Man" (or woman). First impressions shape our thoughts about other people. What's important lives within.
It's all about stereotyping. People see a black guy they think gangster. People see someone with glasses they think nerd. Ect.
For people who aren't getting it, this is all about stereotyping. People see a black man they think he's gangster. Glasses means nerd..ect.
This is really good, makes people think about racial sterotypes. On another note I agree with Raechel you could put anything on anyone
Too bad that most people don't get it. Just try to open your mind instead if closing it as racist people do.
The pictures on the LEFT are JUDGEMENTS. (IE: How you see Muslims, Asians...) The pictures on the RIGHT are REALITY. (Who they actually are)
Never assume either way! A*s-uming makes an a*s out of you! ;) Never assume dress is what makes the real person underneath better or not.
If the photographer is saying that when people see the people on their prejudices project the image on the right, he's wrong and prejudiced.
I think everyone is missing the point. These people aren't judged on how they are dressed but on their ethnicity, profession, or sexuality.
I wouldn't say judging people with a gun/knife is a bad thing. Natural selection allows all animals to assess others for self-preservation.
Some photos do not have two faces: http://goodtimephotography.us/blog/documenting-our-city/
Sorry, but I am a conservative, and I don;t make judgments on what someone is wearing. I have worked for a police department for 35 years.
So your're a conservative? From what I see police judge a lot & kill people they judged wrong!!! I would bet you do judge still. We all do!
Load More Replies...I do not think this makes the point that is suggested the artist is trying to make at all. This actually suggests a very superficial shallow understanding of the social caste system in America.
The fact is, the way we dress, the way we act and the way we present ourselves will control how people perceive us.
sorry, if stockbrokers really dressed in do rags with guns and nurses really carried uzis, this might make a point.....
Please don't judge AMERICA, it is a big CONTINENT extending from Canada to Patagonia and surely all of us AMERICANS don't judge like USA do.
I don't get this. The ppl in suits are stereotypes too. If you are dressed like you're doing yard work that's not bad to assume you are!
It would have more impact if he had removed the weapons and had the same expression in both photos
I think it would have been more effective if he left out props and had everyone smile. Show that it doesn't matter what you look like.
I don't think it's worth much. Some people CHOOSE to dress like some of the "stereotypes" b/c they WANT to be identified w/ a group.
Hurting people hurt people and those who choose to love conquers the ability to see through the masks that society has exposed us to believe
yeah we know yeah at pics on the left side its their past time and on the right side pics its their daily routine time :) JK
Whee whee I think that most of this photos are awesome! But in Poland there is another one best thing - 3tc pany ;-)
Look beyond the surface and you will find those that look like they got it together victim of abuse, drug addictions and much more
If you dress a certain way then you should expect people to treat you a certain way. Its as simple as that.
We only the surface and that's what we judge. I see people all day that look their lives are straight but they dying. Look beyond the surfac
I don't think people ask Asians which nail salon they work at or ask Mexicans if they are gardeners.
All this illustrates is that clothes and demeanor communicate a message - this isn't about prejudice. ESP since it's not about ethnicity
All this illustrates is that dress and demeanor send a message. It's false to characterize a negative reaction as prejudice.
a few look like the same person, diff moment of the day. Scowly faces will always incur judgement. Try again i think. With smiles.
This is the next best thing, HONY ++, great project, great idea, great message. Bravo!!
I think in North America and in western society a suite make a man a thats a sad sad fact...
I like the idea, however the execution is too blatant, by making it more subtle it would encourage thought and therefore more meaning.
When people are frightened, they see danger everywhere. It's sad because most people are not interested in hurting others.
The absolute genius thing about this is 'what if they were neither.' Then it your perception of each person would be fooled twice. Mindblown
I wouldn't say judging people with a gun/knife is a bad thing. Natural selection allows all animals to assess others for self-preservation.
Judgment is passed on every person you meet/see, that's how you base your approach. An educate guess is likely better than an ignorant one.
Well s**t, I guess when I see a fireman in his uniform standing next to his truck I should remember he is probably a terrorist.
Well s**t I guess when I see a fireman dressed in his uniform standing next to his firetruck I should remember he could be a terrorist.
Why would successful people present themselves as anything but what they are. This is a waste of time and proves nothing.
I think the first guy looks like a g in both pics real gs wear suits anyway
So we're 'supposed to' come to the conclusion that people who are Ivy-league educated are always the 'better' choice? #stupid
This is one of the most ill-conceived photo essays I've ever seen. You're better than this, Bored Panda.
I think when you stereotyped everyone of these people and their ethnicity. I think you prejudges their ethnic group before you put these pe
Fair enough don't judge people, but don't call yourself a professional if you insist on using that one terrible filter, its godawful
This is pointless. All people see are the costumes. A guy dressed like a manual labourer and carrying a rake gets taken form one? Wow.
Edgar Gonzalez, Founder, CEO at Xtreme Big Brother Shops and BBYD? http://www.stik.com/p/real+estate/texas.brownsville/p/xbbyd
Great idea poorly executed. Some of props, + aggressive body language + facial contortions nullify photog's intent.
It just me or anyone think that Famous painter Alexander Huffman is beautiful ?
If I would have seen any of these people, I would become "prejudice" towards them, not because of their skin, but how they represent it.
This is an excellent way to broaden ones perspective. Well done Joel Parés.
In french "l'habit ne fait pas le moine" means "the habit does not make the monk" and IT is what applies to this case...
In french, "l'habit ne fait pas le moine" means "the habit does not make the monk", and I think THIS applies to this case.
Are we so politically correct now that we cannot even generalize based on how someone presents himself?
Well, of course! We all initially judge by a person's exterior. Is there a huge lesson to be learned here?
Evolution has taught us to judge others for our own safety. If he's scowling and has a gun, he's dangerous.
Whats funny...recognizing stereotypes simply reinforces stereotypes! Still very good work
This is senseless. Take image #1, I would never look at the right-side image and think for one moment he was a criminal or gangster...
...But look at the left-side image, immediately we can tell he's a criminal and gangster, as no well-to-do person would wear that stuff.
Load More Replies...I think that anything of good intent, which gives us a moment to look inward and think, has merit. Worth sharing.
It's a cliché and contrived I'm afraid beautifully photographed, anybody can be more than one person too sometimes we can all hide.
I find it odd when you look uo Alexander Huffman and Edger Gonzalez nothing comes up. World famous painter???
Well spotted. I think Parés may be making a double bait and switch .. and that the "true" images are in fact the left hand side ones.
Load More Replies...this works both ways, put a bum in a suit, give him a shave and a haircut, and he'll look important. not sure what the point is here.
You're so right. It's also judging when you dress someone with expensive clothes to reflect the "important" people outfit. meaningles..
Load More Replies...I get that they are showing stereotypes. But these are kind of dumb. Dress anyone like that and they look threatening.
... and the point would be that stockbrokers and nurses can be thugs and terrorists.
what is this trying to prove, exactly? The clean-cut guy doesn't normally dress like a thug but he's pretending to be one, for what reason?
what is this trying to prove, exactly? The clean-cut guy doesn't normally dress like a thug but he's pretending to be one, for some reason?
Dress like a thug. Get treated like one. This is the way it is and the way its supposed to be. This article is a big fail.
Human beings judge others by their appearance. If your a scowling guy with tattoos and a gun, are people not supposed to judge you on that?
I really didn't see any art in it. Thank you for showing YOUR judgmental low opinion of my estimation of someone.
umm getting into an elevator with a guy in a suit or a guy with a singlet, tattoos and more importantly 2 guns DUH! cause I'm going to judge
If one doesn't want to be viewed in a certain light, they are the only one who has the ability to change that.
So if you dress like a stereotype, you carry yourself like a stereotype, you display stereotype behavior, why are you surprised that you are
Judgment is passed on every person you meet/see, it's how you base your approach. An educated guess is likely better than an ignorant one.
Why would successful upstanding citizens present themselves as anything but what they are? This is a waste of time and effort.
So the point of this article is to leave clear the fact that if I wear a suit my face is automatically prettied up with Photoshop?
I agree this is totally dumb. Of course that how you dress and your style represents the way you think and live - It is self representation
if i were shot or robbed by the "gangster" in the first photo because i suspended judgement, i'd haunt the author of this article
Load More Replies...The prejudice here is in the artist's eyes. When I look at the people on the right, I don't see the people on the left; he does.
this is silly... if u are holding a gun, & I'm afraid of u, oh slap my hand i should be ashamed for judging u lol ummmm there is also reason
I think this is kinda dumb. You could put a scowl on anyone and they would be threatening, not to mention a gun... noose, or a knife.
It's not about how they are smiling...It's how people PERCEIVE them. These people could be smiling &people would STILL see them as mean.
Load More Replies...I think this is shallow, intellectually dishonest & dumb. If you don't *know* a person- all you have as quick judgement is their attire
I don't understand. OF COURSE we judge by surroundings! If they are holding guns, I'm not likely to hang around and make polite conversation
No, i think the point here is that people percieve them as those stereotypes they're not actually dressed that way.
Load More Replies...I think that is clever. But, there are stereotypes everywhere. I'm stereotyped as a Californian.
My best friend lives in OC. Can you imagine! Those darn wives! Lol
Load More Replies...Who on earth, gay or not, would write 'queer' on their chest. Why not 'I'm just like everyone else, don't treat me differently please!'
Old saying "Cloths make the Man" (or woman). First impressions shape our thoughts about other people. What's important lives within.
It's all about stereotyping. People see a black guy they think gangster. People see someone with glasses they think nerd. Ect.
For people who aren't getting it, this is all about stereotyping. People see a black man they think he's gangster. Glasses means nerd..ect.
This is really good, makes people think about racial sterotypes. On another note I agree with Raechel you could put anything on anyone
Too bad that most people don't get it. Just try to open your mind instead if closing it as racist people do.
The pictures on the LEFT are JUDGEMENTS. (IE: How you see Muslims, Asians...) The pictures on the RIGHT are REALITY. (Who they actually are)
Never assume either way! A*s-uming makes an a*s out of you! ;) Never assume dress is what makes the real person underneath better or not.
If the photographer is saying that when people see the people on their prejudices project the image on the right, he's wrong and prejudiced.
I think everyone is missing the point. These people aren't judged on how they are dressed but on their ethnicity, profession, or sexuality.
I wouldn't say judging people with a gun/knife is a bad thing. Natural selection allows all animals to assess others for self-preservation.
Some photos do not have two faces: http://goodtimephotography.us/blog/documenting-our-city/
Sorry, but I am a conservative, and I don;t make judgments on what someone is wearing. I have worked for a police department for 35 years.
So your're a conservative? From what I see police judge a lot & kill people they judged wrong!!! I would bet you do judge still. We all do!
Load More Replies...I do not think this makes the point that is suggested the artist is trying to make at all. This actually suggests a very superficial shallow understanding of the social caste system in America.
The fact is, the way we dress, the way we act and the way we present ourselves will control how people perceive us.
sorry, if stockbrokers really dressed in do rags with guns and nurses really carried uzis, this might make a point.....
Please don't judge AMERICA, it is a big CONTINENT extending from Canada to Patagonia and surely all of us AMERICANS don't judge like USA do.
I don't get this. The ppl in suits are stereotypes too. If you are dressed like you're doing yard work that's not bad to assume you are!
It would have more impact if he had removed the weapons and had the same expression in both photos
I think it would have been more effective if he left out props and had everyone smile. Show that it doesn't matter what you look like.
I don't think it's worth much. Some people CHOOSE to dress like some of the "stereotypes" b/c they WANT to be identified w/ a group.
Hurting people hurt people and those who choose to love conquers the ability to see through the masks that society has exposed us to believe
yeah we know yeah at pics on the left side its their past time and on the right side pics its their daily routine time :) JK
Whee whee I think that most of this photos are awesome! But in Poland there is another one best thing - 3tc pany ;-)
Look beyond the surface and you will find those that look like they got it together victim of abuse, drug addictions and much more
If you dress a certain way then you should expect people to treat you a certain way. Its as simple as that.
We only the surface and that's what we judge. I see people all day that look their lives are straight but they dying. Look beyond the surfac
I don't think people ask Asians which nail salon they work at or ask Mexicans if they are gardeners.
All this illustrates is that clothes and demeanor communicate a message - this isn't about prejudice. ESP since it's not about ethnicity
All this illustrates is that dress and demeanor send a message. It's false to characterize a negative reaction as prejudice.
a few look like the same person, diff moment of the day. Scowly faces will always incur judgement. Try again i think. With smiles.
This is the next best thing, HONY ++, great project, great idea, great message. Bravo!!
I think in North America and in western society a suite make a man a thats a sad sad fact...
I like the idea, however the execution is too blatant, by making it more subtle it would encourage thought and therefore more meaning.
When people are frightened, they see danger everywhere. It's sad because most people are not interested in hurting others.
The absolute genius thing about this is 'what if they were neither.' Then it your perception of each person would be fooled twice. Mindblown
I wouldn't say judging people with a gun/knife is a bad thing. Natural selection allows all animals to assess others for self-preservation.
Judgment is passed on every person you meet/see, that's how you base your approach. An educate guess is likely better than an ignorant one.
Well s**t, I guess when I see a fireman in his uniform standing next to his truck I should remember he is probably a terrorist.
Well s**t I guess when I see a fireman dressed in his uniform standing next to his firetruck I should remember he could be a terrorist.
Why would successful people present themselves as anything but what they are. This is a waste of time and proves nothing.
I think the first guy looks like a g in both pics real gs wear suits anyway
So we're 'supposed to' come to the conclusion that people who are Ivy-league educated are always the 'better' choice? #stupid
This is one of the most ill-conceived photo essays I've ever seen. You're better than this, Bored Panda.
I think when you stereotyped everyone of these people and their ethnicity. I think you prejudges their ethnic group before you put these pe
Fair enough don't judge people, but don't call yourself a professional if you insist on using that one terrible filter, its godawful
This is pointless. All people see are the costumes. A guy dressed like a manual labourer and carrying a rake gets taken form one? Wow.
Edgar Gonzalez, Founder, CEO at Xtreme Big Brother Shops and BBYD? http://www.stik.com/p/real+estate/texas.brownsville/p/xbbyd
Great idea poorly executed. Some of props, + aggressive body language + facial contortions nullify photog's intent.
It just me or anyone think that Famous painter Alexander Huffman is beautiful ?
If I would have seen any of these people, I would become "prejudice" towards them, not because of their skin, but how they represent it.
This is an excellent way to broaden ones perspective. Well done Joel Parés.
In french "l'habit ne fait pas le moine" means "the habit does not make the monk" and IT is what applies to this case...
In french, "l'habit ne fait pas le moine" means "the habit does not make the monk", and I think THIS applies to this case.
Are we so politically correct now that we cannot even generalize based on how someone presents himself?
Well, of course! We all initially judge by a person's exterior. Is there a huge lesson to be learned here?
Evolution has taught us to judge others for our own safety. If he's scowling and has a gun, he's dangerous.
Whats funny...recognizing stereotypes simply reinforces stereotypes! Still very good work
This is senseless. Take image #1, I would never look at the right-side image and think for one moment he was a criminal or gangster...
...But look at the left-side image, immediately we can tell he's a criminal and gangster, as no well-to-do person would wear that stuff.
Load More Replies...I think that anything of good intent, which gives us a moment to look inward and think, has merit. Worth sharing.
It's a cliché and contrived I'm afraid beautifully photographed, anybody can be more than one person too sometimes we can all hide.
I find it odd when you look uo Alexander Huffman and Edger Gonzalez nothing comes up. World famous painter???
Well spotted. I think Parés may be making a double bait and switch .. and that the "true" images are in fact the left hand side ones.
Load More Replies...this works both ways, put a bum in a suit, give him a shave and a haircut, and he'll look important. not sure what the point is here.
You're so right. It's also judging when you dress someone with expensive clothes to reflect the "important" people outfit. meaningles..
Load More Replies...I get that they are showing stereotypes. But these are kind of dumb. Dress anyone like that and they look threatening.
... and the point would be that stockbrokers and nurses can be thugs and terrorists.
what is this trying to prove, exactly? The clean-cut guy doesn't normally dress like a thug but he's pretending to be one, for what reason?
what is this trying to prove, exactly? The clean-cut guy doesn't normally dress like a thug but he's pretending to be one, for some reason?
Dress like a thug. Get treated like one. This is the way it is and the way its supposed to be. This article is a big fail.
Human beings judge others by their appearance. If your a scowling guy with tattoos and a gun, are people not supposed to judge you on that?
I really didn't see any art in it. Thank you for showing YOUR judgmental low opinion of my estimation of someone.
umm getting into an elevator with a guy in a suit or a guy with a singlet, tattoos and more importantly 2 guns DUH! cause I'm going to judge
If one doesn't want to be viewed in a certain light, they are the only one who has the ability to change that.
So if you dress like a stereotype, you carry yourself like a stereotype, you display stereotype behavior, why are you surprised that you are
Judgment is passed on every person you meet/see, it's how you base your approach. An educated guess is likely better than an ignorant one.
Why would successful upstanding citizens present themselves as anything but what they are? This is a waste of time and effort.
So the point of this article is to leave clear the fact that if I wear a suit my face is automatically prettied up with Photoshop?
I agree this is totally dumb. Of course that how you dress and your style represents the way you think and live - It is self representation
if i were shot or robbed by the "gangster" in the first photo because i suspended judgement, i'd haunt the author of this article
Load More Replies...The prejudice here is in the artist's eyes. When I look at the people on the right, I don't see the people on the left; he does.
this is silly... if u are holding a gun, & I'm afraid of u, oh slap my hand i should be ashamed for judging u lol ummmm there is also reason
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