The new American family. Click here to find out more about each of them.
The new American family. Click here to find out more about each of them. Ted Zee

I don't know how you're dealing with the darkness this election ushered in, but something changed in me when I was looking through this extraordinary photo essay about a family in South Park. Something about this mom's love and creativity, and this dad's warmth and gregariousness, and the precious individuality of each of the kids, and the ways they have been supporting each other—I don't know how to explain it, but I started tearing up at my desk.

The family worked hard to get Hillary Clinton elected. Here they are marching in the street with a cardboard cutout wrapped in plastic because of rain.
The family worked hard to get Hillary Clinton elected. Here they are marching in the street with a cardboard cutout wrapped in plastic because of rain. Ted Zee

As explained at the top of the photo essay, the project came about after the photographer, Ted Zee, captured the mom and her two kids at an MLK Day rally last January. He didn't know them at the time. Here's that first image of them he took:

Seattle MLK Day Rally

A photo posted by Ted Zee (@ted.zee) on


Over time, the photographer saw many other sides of this family, before and after the election. He got the kids to open up, too. They will surprise you. Make sure to read the captions off to the side—they add other dimensions.

You can see more of photographer Ted Zee's work here.