In Clarkston, Ga., A Modern-Day Ellis Island

[one...two...tree 2,762]

by Bryan Meltz 100 Words is a series in which photographers describe their work, in their own words. Curated by Graham Letorney.

Bryan Meltz Arbai and Saida, 2006.

Arbai Barre Abdi was one of nearly 13,000 Somali Bantu refugees who were resettled throughout the U.S. beginning in 2004. I met Arbai that same year, when she and her four children were placed in Clarkston, Ga., directly from a refugee camp in Kenya. It is estimated that 1 in 3 of Clarkston's residents is an immigrant, and more than 60 languages are now spoken in this small Southern town.

This series of portraits began in 2006, when I started using my 4x5 camera to document Arbai's growing family on my weekly visits. For the past six years, I have had the privilege of bearing witness to their overwhelming spirit as they assimilate to American life, while still preserving the traditions of their culture.

http://www.npr.org/b...and?sc=fb&cc=fp

[Obama 2012 1,714]

If by 'assimilate' that mean 'leech off the tax payers the past 8 or 9 years,' then sure that's what they're doing.

They should have sent these people back home years ago.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

If by 'assimilate' that mean 'leech off the tax payers the past 8 or 9 years,' then sure that's what they're doing.

They should have sent these people back home years ago.

OMG.

They were refugees from a country with untold human rights violations!

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

OMG.

They were refugees from a country with untold human rights violations!

Other than North America, Japan, Australia and Western Europe what country doesn't have human rights violations?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

OMG.

They were refugees from a country with untold human rights violations!

Yeah, and they came here and kept on doing untold human rights violations and they still do. All on our dime mind you.

[Danno 1,228]

I wonder if they still administer the Intelligence testing as Ellis Island did?

Or perhaps it truly is a "modern day" Ellis Island.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I wonder if they still administer the Intelligence testing as Ellis Island did?

Or perhaps it truly is a "modern day" Ellis Island.

Ellis Island would send 'unfit' people back where they came from. I'm sure that has changed.

[Danno 1,228]

Ellis Island would send 'unfit' people back where they came from. I'm sure that has changed.

SUre it has changed, in fact this New ellis Island has it's own placard,

Give up your impoverished masses yearning to live free.