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Ruddy Roye’s Pictures From America

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Ruddy Roye is TIME’s pick for Instagram Photographer of the Year

This man armed only with a sign around his neck demonstrates in front of the Capital Building in South Carolina. The event  was the staging of both a Ku Klux Klan and a Black Panther rally, both scheduled in the same area.
This man armed only with a sign around his neck demonstrates in front of the Capital Building in South Carolina. The event was the staging of both a Ku Klux Klan and a Black Panther rally, both scheduled in the same area.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
10 year old Darian after stopping at a Salvation army truck where he was given a ham sandwich, some fruits and a bottle of milk. Residents of the zipcode 53205 in Milwaukee often meet the truck around 1 pm where they are given a meal.
10 year old Darian after stopping at a Salvation army truck where he was given a ham sandwich, some fruits and a bottle of milk. Residents of the zipcode 53205 in Milwaukee often meet the truck around 1 pm where they are given a meal.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Dwayne Hill voted today on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn despite being told that his prison conviction and jail sentence would disqualify his vote. "I voted anyway. I think Trumo has that set up like that. But I need better than what he is offering," he said.
Dwayne Hill voted today on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn despite being told that his prison conviction and jail sentence would disqualify his vote. "I voted anyway. I think Trumo has that set up like that. But I need better than what he is offering," he said.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Sade came out on the streets of Milwaukee to "meet with my brothers and sisters." The mother of two casually explained that she had to start making her money in the streets after the modeling agencies stopped calling and she had to start thinking about caring for her children. Sade lives in the zipcode 53205 known in their city as the worst zipcode in America.
Sade came out on the streets of Milwaukee to "meet with my brothers and sisters." The mother of two casually explained that she had to start making her money in the streets after the modeling agencies stopped calling and she had to start thinking about caring for her children. Sade lives in the zipcode 53205 known in their city as the worst zipcode in America.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Six year old Jamal Marshal from Mobile, Alabama sees football as a way of making his life better for him and his family.
Six year old Jamal Marshal from Mobile, Alabama sees football as a way of making his life better for him and his family.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Children in Milwaukee, Winsconsin runs up to the car window to inquire if there was anything to eat.
Children in Milwaukee, Winsconsin runs up to the car window to inquire if there was anything to eat.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Two Bernie supporters, discuss which of the police officers they were going to give their last rose to. They were talking at the Democratic National Convention which was held in Philadelphia recently.
Two Bernie supporters, discuss which of the police officers they were going to give their last rose to. They were talking at the Democratic National Convention which was held in Philadelphia recently.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Stacey and her daughter Joy prepare a pot of zucchini, tomatoes and squash for protestors at the Democratic National Convention that was held in Philadelphia.
Stacey and her daughter Joy prepare a pot of zucchini, tomatoes and squash for protestors at the Democratic National Convention that was held in Philadelphia.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
A lone protestor pauses to stop and salute other protestors on their way to the Democratic National Convention which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
A lone protestor pauses to stop and salute other protestors on their way to the Democratic National Convention which was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Al stands at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Utia and asks motorists for money to help him afford a meal. The once employed husband said after falling on bad luck now finds himself begging and living in the streets in order to get by.
Al stands at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Utia and asks motorists for money to help him afford a meal. The once employed husband said after falling on bad luck now finds himself begging and living in the streets in order to get by.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
This Chicago resident says it is hard getting back into a shelter after one has been expelled. The Pacific Garden Mission is a haven for people living on the streets who are looking for a path to getting back on their feet. The shelter has a drug-free program that allows some of its residents to find a way to getting jobs and getting back into society.
This Chicago resident says it is hard getting back into a shelter after one has been expelled. The Pacific Garden Mission is a haven for people living on the streets who are looking for a path to getting back on their feet. The shelter has a drug-free program that allows some of its residents to find a way to getting jobs and getting back into society.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Young boys supporting the Ku Klux Klan stand in solidarity with the group outside of the South Carolina Capitol bulding to protest the taking down of the conferderate flag from the federal buildings in that state.
Young boys supporting the Ku Klux Klan stand in solidarity with the group outside of the South Carolina Capitol bulding to protest the taking down of the conferderate flag from the federal buildings in that state.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
A elderly man from Newark, New Jersey moves away from the corner that is often occupied by younger boys who stand around in that corner alledgedly selling dope.
A elderly man from Newark, New Jersey moves away from the corner that is often occupied by younger boys who stand around in that corner alledgedly selling dope.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Budd stands on his bike proudly in the zipcode that is said to be the worst in all of America.
Budd stands on his bike proudly in the zipcode that is said to be the worst in all of America.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Sharing a drink with a friend. Two elderly gentlemen pass the time by drinking and sharing moments together on Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
Sharing a drink with a friend. Two elderly gentlemen pass the time by drinking and sharing moments together on Fulton Street in Brooklyn.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Community leaders disrupted the peaceful flow of a townhall meeting at the Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas. This speaker expressed his anger and distaste for the way his community was being policed.
Community leaders disrupted the peaceful flow of a townhall meeting at the Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas. This speaker expressed his anger and distaste for the way his community was being policed.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Dhoruba Shakur demonstrated his right to bear arms in Baton Rouge when he turned ip at the make shift memorial for Alton Sterling with his glock. "I am here to raise awareness. I want to let the community know they don't have to putup with this shit. The community cannot be intimidated by the police. I am exercising my rights to open carry," he told me.
Dhoruba Shakur demonstrated his right to bear arms in Baton Rouge when he turned up at the make shift memorial for Alton Sterling with his glock. "I am here to raise awareness. I want to let the community know they don't have to putup with this shit. The community cannot be intimidated by the police. I am exercising my rights to open carry," he told me.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
"It's every day, we pray every day that the streets don't take us, we are vulnerable out here."
"It's every day, we pray every day that the streets don't take us, we are vulnerable out here."Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Praying for a successful meeting with 24 year old javier Dunn (far left). Dunn, who was arrested for protesting the Alton Sterling shooting by the Baton Rouge Police Department, was told he had to go see his parol officer as a condition of his release. Here, two community pastors pray with him before his meeting.
Praying for a successful meeting with 24 year old javier Dunn (far left). Dunn, who was arrested for protesting the Alton Sterling shooting by the Baton Rouge Police Department, was told he had to go see his parol officer as a condition of his release. Here, two community pastors pray with him before his meeting.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Twenty five year old Noland Moore from Birmingham, Alabama is being given a second chance at the Dannon Project. Moore, who was charged for attempted murder is grateful for his second chance. "I am here because I need a second chance. I want to help the youth. I want them to do better than I did." At the Dannon Project, Moore is involved in maintenence work along with conneling? the new students.
Twenty five year old Noland Moore from Birmingham, Alabama is being given a second chance at the Dannon Project. Moore, who was charged for attempted murder is grateful for his second chance. "I am here because I need a second chance. I want to help the youth. I want them to do better than I did." At the Dannon Project, Moore is involved in maintenence work along with conneling? the new students.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
The flag project was one born out of my need to find out why if blacks have been treated so poorly historically in this country, why do they wear the flag. The man I met on the streets of Manhattan said that "This is my country, I was born here. I am a proud American."
The flag project was one born out of my need to find out why if blacks have been treated so poorly historically in this country, why do they wear the flag. The man I met on the streets of Manhattan said that "This is my country, I was born here. I am a proud American."Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Met this Brooklyn resident looking for snow removal work.
Met this Brooklyn resident looking for snow removal work.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
This bed stuy native was asked how he felt about the assassination of Dr. King. I asked if he remembered anything about the story when he was growing up. "I don't remember much about that day. I just can't remember but I still think he is still here." What do you mean, I asked, "We are still here aren't we, they haven't been able to kill us all yet."
This bed stuy native was asked how he felt about the assassination of Dr. King. I asked if he remembered anything about the story when he was growing up. "I don't remember much about that day. I just can't remember but I still think he is still here." What do you mean, I asked, "We are still here aren't we, they haven't been able to kill us all yet."Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
A father and son reflected against the portrait of Trayvon Martin's face on the mural in Brooklyn.
A father and son reflected against the portrait of Trayvon Martin's face on the mural in Brooklyn.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Pops said that his prison record has been a hinderance. He lives on the streets of Charlotteville, Virginia with the hope of going back home one day.
Pops said that his prison record has been a hinderance. He lives on the streets of Charlotteville, Virginia with the hope of going back home one day.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
A man sleeps on the streets of Manhattan, a city touted to be one of the most popular cities in the world.
A man sleeps on the streets of Manhattan, a city touted to be one of the most popular cities in the world.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
A man walks up to a mural of Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious B.I.G. He came there to honor the deceased rapper on his birthday. After reminiscing about the days when he listened to Wallace's music, he also remarked how much Brooklyn was changing.
A man walks up to a mural of Christopher Wallace aka The Notorious B.I.G. He came there to honor the deceased rapper on his birthday. After reminiscing about the days when he listened to Wallace's music, he also remarked how much Brooklyn was changing.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
A D.C. Pride goer poses for a photograph before inviting me to come to Miami to photograph Miami Pride. Days later, a lone gunman opened fire inside The Pulse gay club in Orlando.
A D.C. Pride goer poses for a photograph before inviting me to come to Miami to photograph Miami Pride. Days later, a lone gunman opened fire inside The Pulse gay club in Orlando.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Corey Green was in Brooklyn to visit his baby's mother and to look for work. "I am here to let her know that I am here to support her."
Corey Green was in Brooklyn to visit his baby's mother and to look for work. "I am here to let her know that I am here to support her."Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye
Davone struggles with finding steady work and drug abuse. He is usually at the corner of Bedford and Atlantic Ave asking motorists for money to feed his habit or his hunger.
Davone struggles with finding steady work and drug abuse. He is usually at the corner of Bedford and Atlantic Ave asking motorists for money to feed his habit or his hunger.Ruddy Roye @ruddyroye

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