The exhibition, "I Am a Child," on view through Dec. 31 at the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, Tenn., shines a light on the practice of separating immigrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexican border The brainchild of creative director Paola Mendoza and photographer Kisha Bari, the display of more than 30 black-and-white images of protesting children peering into a camera lens evokes a visceral reaction to their sheer innocence and is a direct appeal to society's humanity.

In June 2018, Mendoza and Bari collaborated on an artistic photo shoot on the steps of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in New York in response to the zero-tolerance policy regarding undocumented immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexican border. With the new policy came a humanitarian crisis where children were torn from their parents and placed in detention centers many miles away

The photos quickly went viral on social media. The National Civil Rights Museum reached out to Mendoza through Twitter, and began collaborating on a rapid-response installation of the ongoing dilemma.

'There is no denying that these photos are powerful and evocative. Our collaboration with Paola Mendoza to produce the 'I Am a Child' exhibition speaks to the power of social media in the fight for social change," says Noelle Trent, the museum's director of Interpretation, Collections, and Education. 'The crisis at the border is part of a larger disconcerting problem where children's human rights are being ignored. Through 'I Am a Child,' we hope to increase people's awareness about the ongoing crisis as well as their understanding of human rights."

"I Am a Child" is a call for the recognition of human rights of all children--regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or immigration status. The exhibit also features excerpts from the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"A child is a child no matter what country they were born in. A child is a child even when they cross the border. A child's desire to stay with their parents is a human right. In homage to the iconic I AM A MAN photo, I am proud to present I AM A CHILD," Mendoza posted on Instagram. She also was the cofounder and artistic director for the Women's March in Washington, D.C., in January 2017.

Added Bari on Instagram: "These are desperate families that feel so unsafe in their country that they have no choice but to risk their lives and leave their home behind. Being a refugee is not a choice. Children in this situation have less of a choice. Imagine yourself in this position."