Paper Boy Prince
Role
NYC 2020-21
Photo Journalist
Videographer
Editor
From late 2020 to mid 2021, I volunteered for the campaign of Paper Boy Prince, a candidate running in the election for mayor of NYC. While volunteering for this campaign I followed stories surrounding the campaign and documented what surrounded the candidate.
Andrew Yang VS Paper Boy Basket Ball
That being said, my time on the Paper Boy Prince campaign was not completely sunshine and roses. My eyes were opened to the nuance of politics campaigns up and close, and I learned the importance of keeping an objective view for the sake of telling a story. The photos above show Paper being protested by Qween B. Amor, a political advocate / performance artist. This scene is from a “smoke out” facilitated by Paper Boy, something they have done around the city to protest the imprisonment of thousands of black men and women who are behind bars for marijuana, although it is legal (to carry up to 3 ounces) in NYC.
Paper Boy the Prince Reel
Qween B. Amor asked Paper if they could share specific information on how they planned to help these imprisoned people and how they plan to help queer and trans people in NYC. Paper did not have an answer, and ignored her questions. I thought to myself, what is wrong with answering her question? What is wrong with her wanting clarification? I noticed that the photographers around me put down their cameras when she spoke to Paper, and even argue with her. I realized that Paper did not have an answer. This campaign was very different from a traditional mayoral campaign. Our team strategized over discord, less than $3,000 was spent on the campaign, we rode around in a hot-boxed school bus. That is what attracted me to volunteer with the team. If I could go back in time, I would still be a part of this campaign in the way I was. I met beautiful people, I practiced capturing a story in real time. I only wish that I had spoke a bit louder, and said what I thought at the time. I learned that no one is perfect and that so many appearances are just that, appearances. .