Can America unilaterally force anything on other nations? I know the majority of my American friends disagree. ( Unfortunately, my nation also has its fair share of fringe nationalists )

Rivera-Ortiz’s work is held in prestigious collections, including the George Eastman Museum and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. In 2010, he established a foundation to support underrepresented photographers and filmmakers who capture social, cultural and ecological issues. /end

Rivera-Ortiz uses documentary work as a tool for social discourse on issues such as systemic murder, health, famine and political persecution. However, his work also focuses on moments of joy, such as children playing, to move beyond the shock of poverty and portray universal human emotions. /5

Rivera-Ortiz’s work explores cultural heritage and identity, particularly through his roots in Puerto Rico and his projects in Cuba, where he compares the two homelands. He often documents the daily labor of workers, such as tobacco harvesters in Cuba or miners in high-altitude regions. /4

This personal history informs Rivera-Ortiz’s focus on overlooked and voiceless communities. He frequently photographs groups such as the Untouchable caste in India, the Aymara people in Bolivia and residents of Mumbai’s slums, providing a firsthand account of their lived experiences. /3

Rivera-Ortiz was born into extreme poverty in the Pozo Hondo barrio outside Guyama. The eldest of 10 children, he grew up in a corrugated tin shack with dirt floors and no running water. His father hand-chopped sugar cane and found work as a migrant farmworker after the sugar harvesting season. /2

Ready to get involved and help Christian Menefee win this race? Visit his website to find opportunities to donate and volunteer. Follow him on @cdmenefee.bsky.social.

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