Two Guys (One Camera Shy)

Modesto Junior College, Modesto, California

Colleges feel like home to me. With two parents who made professorship their careers, I spent countless hours of my childhood and adolescents roaming campuses, first only with my parents in tow, and eventually alone. I'd dance alone down walkways, and imagine what it would be like to be all grown up, learning away, and discovering what it meant to be an adult. So stepping onto Modesto Junior College felt like relief. 

The first two men we met agreed to talk to us. "How do you feel about the future of America?" I asked.

"Hrumphmanumph," the taller, broader man said.

I stared blankly. "I didn't catch that."

He cleared his throat and spoke up. "Pardon my French ma'am, but we're fucked."

"What makes you say that?"

"Have you seen who's in office? We elected a man who isn't a politician, and who only got elected because of money."

Only one of the men agreed to be in the photo.