Breaking a Man

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-The Blue Series

Depression and Vulnerability are difficult for any man to talk about especially when they have no one to express themselves too. Men often don’t talk of it, it’s almost Taboo for any man to express themselves without being judged or seen as weak.

I started this Blue Series because in the Hmong community Depression between Hmong men isn’t talk about, Often it’s even looked down upon as weak or not being manly. I've never seen my father or my uncles cried nor have I seen them open up about what they're going through. In any Asian household traditionally the men are to step up and be the head of the household; And I want to change that old stigma of "Making a Man" to "Breaking a Man" that it's ok to cry in front of your kids and it's ok to break down and say "I need Help!". Where we as men can take off the strong man persona; the mask we wear just to live up to an unexpected stigma.

There's obviously a lot of work that still needed to be done for men to be openly able to talk about Depression but I hope this project can open the eyes of men and women alike to be more sensitive to others and the idea of that Depression is within all Men; for us as human beings to be able to be vulnerable with each other.

-adearest

 
 
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To be an honorable mention in both the Chromatic and Neutral Density awards may not be a big feat for others but for me it is the first right steps towards my goals as a photographer, towards letting the world see my work for what it is and it’s untold stories .

 
 
 
A Dearest