Hope Through the Lens of American Teens
In the fall of 2023, Interfaith Photovoice partnered with Braver Angels on a new initiative called Braver Lens: Amateur Photography to Heal American Divides.
Using the photovoice technique, Braver Lens explores the American political divide through photography. We piloted this program with a group of 14 participants from all across America. Some were from rural communities, some were from urban cities. Some were boomers, some were zoomers. Some were red, some were blue — many were other. And over the course of five sessions, we learned about the ways in which we’re similar, the ways in which we’re different, and how we can create community given our diverse needs and beliefs.
A handful of participants went back into their own communities to do Braver Lens projects of their own. Across America, these communities used photography to bridge divides and connect – over legacy, equality, dogs, and what it means to be a teenager.
In this project, teenagers from around the country explored the topic of hope through photography and dialogue.
According to the dictionary hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” This photo feels very hopeful to me because the flower growing out of the rocks, coming up from nothing feels like hope itself. — Avery
As a very short person I always find it fun how in the evenings if I face the right way it makes my shadow at least a few feet taller. For some reason this has always given me loads of hope even though I know I will always be short. — Avery
You might think I’m hoping for a package. But I took this photo for another reason. This picture resembles hope because this delivery truck is 100% electric which is hopeful to me because as our planet is heating up you can still see efforts to try to balance and decrease the amount to c02 being released into the atmosphere by encouraging 100% electric vehicles and brainstorming ideas to try to cool our planet in the upcoming years. — Lucia
This is very meaningful to me because love is so much more than people know. Even in this verse, it talks about hope, and it says how much love is worth and that people should become loving like how God is. “Love never fails. “That is amazing and it means so much, God will never fail. You, neither will love, but people will. So you can’t put your trust in people, it also talks about trust. 1 Corinthians says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight and evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres. Love never fails." — Emmalee
Working at Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFFA) represents hope because there are volunteers who are helping people shop for their food. These people don’t have enough money, so they have to choose to either spend their money on housing or food for their families. EFAA is a great organization because they have a food pantry for low-income families. They also have housing for people who have lost their jobs and are looking for a new home. This gives me hope because EFAA is made up of volunteers who are helping out their community. — Fiorella
This photo is a tree and it only blooms once a year for a week or two. This gives me hope that we can plant a seed and everyone’s heart so they can see God. The way the flowers in the front are clear and the flowers in the back are blurry, but still beautiful. God should be clear in your life, and you should see the truth more clearly than the lies. If you see the lies more and want to do the wrong thing more than the right, pray, love, and speak the truth. God will love you always, forever, no matter what you do, but don’t take advantage of that. — Emmalee
This photo means that I can put my hope in my country, and I know that people won’t invade, and I know people are protecting me. For example, God, he always protects us and won’t ever let anything hurt us, but if something does happen, it was for a reason. Everything is for a reason. People put their hope in the military, but some don’t put their hope in God. God is the reason for everything good, he won’t let people go away for no reason. Like my grandparents, I know he has a plan for me and my mom after they go away and I can put my hope in Him. — Emmalee
My dog’s exuberance in this photo feels like hope because he is full of energy and happiness. — Lucia
Like the other photos, my mom and I love taking photos of the sky, and it is like our thing together. This puts hope in my life because I know I can have something to look forward to besides all the other things. I have beauty in my life and it is so crazy how people don’t know what beauty is out there. I even love the way the trees cover it a little and even dead trees are beautiful in the winter. The way the snow is on there and how white and gorgeous it is. God is amazing in these ways and that is something I can always put my trust, my hope, my love into, him, always. I hope that people who don’t know God will come to him and realize he has done so much for us. — Emmalee
Weather can keep people inside, which is good for the environment. When people stay inside all day, there will be less pollution and trash. This brings me hope because it means the environment is safer from people. — Fiorella
The way that the light shines on the seeds of the dandelion resembles hope because it is beautiful and it makes me feel still. — Lucia
Water is an incredible element in so many ways. The weightlessness one feels while swimming, coupled with the burning in your lungs and muscles has power to be nearly transcendent. The rhythmic patterns of breathing often leaves one feeling relaxed and happy hours after a swim. The positive effects this sport has had on my mental health, in both the short and long term gives me hope. I am also hopeful that more people will discover how beneficial this kind of physical movement can be to their health, and overall quality of life. — Mia
Anyone can see the raw power of this young woman as she is about to raise her chin over the pull up bar. Only people who have met her would know what a compassionate friend and teammate she is. Her encouragement and smiles lift up our swim team, as well as the way she calls us all ‘kitten’ affectionately. Her work ethic and strength are an inspiration to those around her. People like her make me hopeful for the future of our country and world. — Mia
