There's an app for that

I recently downloaded the Hipstamatic application. I haven't done extensive tests to compare the lighting of the three lenses that came with it because they're all pretty interesting. Yeah, the retro quality of the pictures is cool, but I love how the varied light dimensions bring out greater depth and energy to the subjects. In an era where HiDef and 3D televisions become commonplace, it's nice to celebrate the imperfection of the subject.
Here are a few photos I shot that I absolutely love:

Non-census

I just filled out my 2010 census. I'm a little conflicted about it.

Before the 2000 Census I remember that 1. I didn't know much about why we did it and 2. Ethnic groups were marketing heavily in order to get people to choose their box on the forms. I remember this clearly, because as a person of Hawaiian ancestry, the word was out in my community to "be counted" in order to get money. That's pretty much what I associated with the census-a government mandate that created competition between racial groups to fight for funds.

Not only did the numbers create conflict between minority groups, it created discord within households as there was only one designation for race--for all members of that household.

My husband is of Korean ancestry. I am Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, English, Irish, Spanish and French. Because my husband is the main bread winner in our home, usually his name appears first on our legal paperwork such as taxes, insurance papers and the like. So when we have to choose a representative for our entire household, it's likely that we use my husband's information. But because I am a part of an indigenous group that could use some money, I was inclined (and encouraged by the Hawaiian community) to check the 'Native Hawaiian' box regardless of my other nationalities or those of the others in my home.

How did I answer the 2000 Census? I didn't. When they came to my house asking me to fill out another, I didn't. It wasn't until an auditor called and asked me to provide the information that I finally answered, claiming 'Native Hawaiian.' It didn't feel entirely representative of myself or my household.

I don't like the boxes they make you check to classify yourself, mainly because for a very long time, 'Native Hawaiian' was not an option. Choosing more than one box was not allowed on certain forms, alienating myself and other multi-racial or multi-ethnic people. Most forms neglected to provide a write-in option. Therefore, I spent many years checking the infamous 'Other' box.

Interestingly though, this census has a number of races listed on their form. With multiple check-offs encouraged and write-in options. It's a step in the right direction.

Part of my conflict is because this time I actually feel for the 'White' category. This year's census has break-downs for 'Other Asian,' where one could print in Hmong, Laotian, Thai, Pakistani, etc. Or 'Other Pacific Islander,' with Fijian, Tongan, etc. But Europeans? They get 'White,' and that's it. Here I am, excited to finally be able to check off every Asian race I embody in individual boxes, plus the 'Native Hawaiian' box, but I actually had to write in 'European' under the category of 'Some other race.'

For a long time my philosophy was to check 'Other' because it didn't feel right to claim one race or nationality if I couldn't claim the others. Some people who are multi-racial identify with one group, so they feel free to check one box. Fine. But for me, I want to be able to give it my all or nothing. (And what's up with the point that "For this census, Hispanic origins are not races."?)

I began filling out this year's census with every intention of completing it to the best of my ability. After having done so, I feel like I gave away too much information without being as thorough as I'd hoped. Essentially, I was asked about my identity and given fewer tools than necessary to answer. I'm glad to see ten years has expanded the lens of our government, but I'd love to see the 2020 Census envelope contain a single sheet of paper that reads, "Tell us about yourself. Or better yet, draw a picture."