Noted photographer Gordon Parks referred to his camera as his “weapon against poverty and racism.” A consummate artist and creator Parks visually captured the story of segregation and unequal practices through photojournalism and film.
His life and storytelling deserves its own post, but I came across Caroline Hirsch’s “Revisiting Photos That Find Tenderness Amid Inequality” and am in awe of Parks’ ability to showcase the painful contrast of the times. He caught every day moments in a world where prejudice and discrimination were normalized.
Without these visuals and stories of real people I don’t know if progress would have happened as it did. Often when reflecting on the ‘process’ behind the Civil Rights Movement, commentators will point out the carefully crafted narratives, management of the ‘optics’ and how serving up a visual of the struggle moved more people to action. Well-told stories spark change.
Looking around at much of the troubling circumstances we face today, I wonder if maybe we need some more stories…