The political graffiti from a recent presidential campaign still marks this abandoned store in Orangeburg, S.C., at the intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and Tyler Road. Across the street is a stark trailer park with two dozen identical, gray mobile homes and few trees.
Orangeburg County is home to more than 91,000 people, two thirds of whom are black. The county, which has a poverty rate of 24.5 percent, is strongly Democratic. Wags, however, might note that the graffiti today represents a dream for change that may be stale. Proponents might say it is still very much alive, particularly in Orangeburg County.
The City of Orangeburg, known for its gardens and historically black colleges, officially is home to 13,850 people and has a 31.3 poverty rate in 2012, but the greater area has more than 65,000 people.
Copyrighted photo was taken April 23, 2014 by Andy Brack. All rights reserved.