A different kind of click.
More powerful than a gun.
He pointed and shot.
In his crosshairs - the lies told by the American media about Black men, women, and children. Lies that we were savage, dangerous, ugly.
Photographer Gordon Parks bodied that plot with a portfolio for the people. Thousands of crystal clear images of perfect Blackness.
Telling the truth.
Shining a light on humanity.
From his iconic camera came cover photos. He documented a broken-hearted city after Dr. King’s assassination. He attended the funeral of Medgar Evers and showed the world the stoicism of his beautiful wife.
Gordon Parks and his editorial crew placed these powerful images on the cover of Life magazine.
He set out to offer perspective and clarity on historic moments AND the ordinary lives of extraordinary people.
Like Red Jackson, the benevolent drug dealer in Harlem. Or the Fontonelle family, who could not survive the destitution of urban poverty. Or the women in Malcolm X’s mosque.
Our collective image of Black history was rendered in his dark room.
Today, we shine a light and raise a glass to truth in journalism. And to all the storytellers of the movement.
Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the music or speech excepts reference or played during this broadcast. You can find original content that was referenced or played here:
Across 110th Street | Bobby Womack:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2zyTP97uGsIc1C4KNNEkyn?si=363cc85ec8c34670
The Ghetto | Donny Hathaway:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1yeIxOEFmpQ3qlOb2R3g2m?si=656073f483e14536