Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
See Me Don’t Judge Me

‘Oneness’ This is my favorite vase that I bought almost 20 years ago. It’s very sturdy. The colored balls inside it took me ten years to collect from my four kids’ dental office. Each of them was given a ball and a ballon after each visit. Well, until they became teens and refused the balloons especially, but I was always looking forward to getting the balls more than them. Five years ago while cleaning the vase, I saw the balls as a diverse group of people. The balls, just like us, are different in color, texture, design, and beauty, therefore, unique. The vase symbolizes transparency, that, if/when we are true and open to/with each other, accepting our uniqueness and individualities, our world would have been a better place. We would show more kindness. It wouldn’t eradicate evil, especially racism. But, the good will outnumber the not-so good. That’s all.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Sugar Land, Texas, United States of America
Camera: iPhone 7
Copyright: © Nkem Andrea DenChukwu