This erasure series originated from a book of speeches by Swami Vivekananda, the revered Bengali monk who introduced Hinduism and yogic philosophy to the Western world. As I began the erasures, the text offered an unexpected sense of direction. The project took shape in a climate dominated by “Fake News” headlines—a phrase ironically weaponized by Trump even as he promoted “alternative facts.” Adding to the irony, Trump disrespectfully botched Vivekananda’s name during his “Namaste Trump” speech in India, a reminder of his superficial engagement with global figures and cultures.

Over the months, new themes surfaced, and the erasures became a tool to navigate my experience as an American expat during the Trump administration. Each encounter with American news felt like a disconnect from my homeland, where the daily unraveling of civility and transparency left me unable to fully engage with even a routine White House briefing.

Despite the constraints of the original text, Vivekananda’s words resonated powerfully. Written over a century ago under colonial rule, his thoughts on the human condition carried surprising relevance in the present time of political and social unrest. As an American citizen, I find solace in knowing I have the freedom to express my discontent without fear of repercussions. In that sense, this series is a space where hope exists.