#ShootBack Day 13: #BlackLivesMatterA rushed decision made within a couple of days took me from Atla
#ShootBack Day 13: #BlackLivesMatterA rushed decision made within a couple of days took me from Atlanta, Georgia to Ferguson, Missouri. I work on a college newspaper and my hobby of photography had gotten more serious since I picked up my camera two years prior. In addition to keeping up my architecture portfolio and my street photography past time I’ve shot music festivals, wedding ceremonies and more in a short time gaining experience. I had never done anything like this though. As I wobbled out of a van I rode non stop all the way to Ferguson, I stretched to the daylight in anticipation to what the city would bring. A church? A church. Out of all places, I left Georgia in the pit of the Bible Belt to meet up with activists from all over the country in support of black lives….at a church. Surely the morals of religion and the righteous are intertwined yet at the time I saw my mission as somewhat separate and anchored in the physical world where only things policies, forms and laws would make impact. However it seem as if rising from an old history book, the roots of my people and their struggle for progression could not come forth without the church being heavily involved as well. I wanted so badly to diminish the moment- to make it less than it was, to possibly progress my mindset out of old negro hymns and spirituals that had racked my brain as I thought about the lamentations of black bodies in this space. Yet as I entered the church, I was welcomed by young and old, straight and queer, different religions and views- activists from every corner of America and even Montreal. I was perplexed at how this would work out, how we’d all get along?I just got out of a van I’d been riding in for hours to a place I’d never been before on a whim decision based off of an event I attended a week prior. Was I a photographer? Student? Activist? A very concerned individual? Was this just normal life? For some of these individuals, I could see that it was. As pastor of the church welcomed us in with open arms, all I felt was solidarity. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.” Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I’m currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism -- source link
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