Most countries have a region that is purposely secluded from political, social, or cultural reforms. The reasons for this range from prejudice to stereotype to a mere lack of empathy. For instance, in Australia, it is the Outbacks; in India, it is Kashmir and largely the North Eastern states; and in China, it is Xinjiang, an autonomous region where the Uyghurs live.

The United States, too, is not too different in this regard. For the past few decades, there has been a growing chasm between distinct groups. However, one particular day, this abyss widened further. "The events against our government on January 6 became the final straw at the exasperation I had felt for many years about the division in this country," says photographer Richard Sharum to The Phoblographer. Sharum has been chronicling the isolation of the central spine of the country, which is made up of a 100-mile wide corridor that runs through the Central United States and along the borders of Mexico and Canada. What happened next was Sharum embarking on a three-year project called Spina Americana, which explores why we overlooked the region through its compelling photographs. . thephoblographer.com

2025-1-2 08:00