What We Carried - Jim Lommasson

Over four million Iraqis have fled their homes since the American invasion in 2003, and over 140,000 have been admitted to the US. The refugees left because of a brutal dictator and industrial warfare that has virtually destroyed their country. Many Iraqis sought refuge in Syria only to find another dangerous situation. The long journey to the US can take months or years, and includes refugee camps, piles of documents, and occasionally bribery. What We Carried is a collaborative photographic storytelling project presenting the experiences of these refugees and creating a platform for discussion. Lommasson asked each participant to share an item they brought with them on their journey to the US. He photographed the object and then returned the print to its owner to provide personal reflections by writing directly onto the photograph. The participants’ additions give voice to the universal plight of refugees throughout time. The book is about what was carried; but more important, what was left behind.