Worcester, Massachusetts is a prime example of a city dealing with the growing pains of becoming a larger city. Gentrification efforts such as the invasion of franchise locations from large companies fighting to open a store nearby the brand-new Polar Park and the implementation of more invasive police department policies are a testament to the pervasiveness of these endeavors. With these being substantially more powerful and wealthy, poor Black and Brown communities have been the first to be evicted from their neighborhoods. 

Unaccustomed to these gated-community-like living conditions at Holy Cross, I have found myself drawn to the city as it reminds me of the places I grew up in. Although I should be indifferent to what occurs in the city, I find myself feeling a great sense of discomfort when walking around. With this series, I wandered around and captured the idea of discomfort in daily life that is a result of attempts to expel certain groups of people.

Worcester Police presence in neighborhood streets, especially if they are blocking pathways such as the vehicle in one photo, makes me feel a great deal of anxiety due to their horrendous reputation in the United States of being more likely to tyrannize BIPOC. I depict the American flag which, recently, is synonymous with the far right, conservative crowd which oftentimes supports big business in America while simultaneously defunding policies that directly support the poorest in the nation the most. 

Benches are an integral part of a safe, walkable city. In two of my photos, I captured the defensive architecture present in the city of Worcester that aims to either eradicate the houseless population or the skateboarders. I used the dutch angle in both to heighten the fear around them and bring attention to the innocuous design meant to be overlooked by the everyday person. In other photos, I depict large businesses and organizations encroaching on residential neighborhoods. At the angles I show them, I try to depict the looming fate of these homes regardless of how tall and strong they may appear. I also took a picture depicting a previously dark alleyway. Lights such as these are meant to eradicate the houseless population as the bright fluorescents lower the quality of sleep of people in their vicinity. I heightened the contrast in this image and used leading lines to lead viewers feel uncomfortable.