”I’m a big gringo with a beard who was born in the US and has the immense privilege of holding a valid US passport. I speak Spanish conversationally, but often get lost in the rapid speech of someone who is really excited to tell me something. I guess I should feel like an outsider to the communities I work with, but I really don’t. Part of this may be because as a documentary storyteller I’ve been an “outsider” to communities throughout my whole life, and I don’t really feel like I’m an “insider” to any community. But with that said, immigrant communities are incredibly welcoming and have traditions that make guests and “outsiders” feel like family.

Tio Téo’s Lens