ETHNIC PHOTOGRAPY AND SOCIAL CHANGE

photographersKhadija Jones

Ethnicity and race• Relates to cultural factors such as nationality, culture,

ancestry, language, and belief. An ethnic group or ethnicity is a population of human beings whose members identify with each other, on the basis of a real or a presumed common genealogy or ancestry.

• Race refers to a person’s physical appearance such as skin color, eye color, hair color, etc.

• The term race refers to the concept of dividing people into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of physical characteristics (which usually result from genetic ancestry).

• Throughout history of photography race and ethnicity have played key roles in some extremely important photographers.

• Among the issue of race and ethnicity comes the idea of social division, and with the divisions created among the society come the idea of social change

• “Racial Stereotyping did not originate with photography, but photography has proven to be an unusually powerful instrument for reinforcing and propagating racial and racist imagery” American Photography: A Century of Images.

Charles Lee Moore background info

• An American photographer• Born March 9, 1931- March 11, 2010• Main focus on the civil rights movement• Book: Powerful Days the Civil Rights Photography

Charles Moore background cont.

• “Rats had more rights than black people that night in Georgia”

• Father was a minister in a Baptist church and it was here where he believed he got his racial attitude from, because Churches were segregated.

The CIVIL RIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY OF CHARLES MOORE

Two police officers that were unaware of the prisoner’s identity arrest king for loitering.

He was later released after his identity was known.

Capturing of the freedom March 1963

• In 1963 William Moore was killed in Alabama during a mail delivery route. The letter contained information about segregation protest. Groups rallied to march the trail that William Moore followed.

Bruce Davidson• He was born in 1933• He is currently a Magnum

Photographer• His approach was a bit

different from Moore.• His photos give a viewer a

more hopeful aspect, a sense of warmth to a difficult time

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38h0SAWDrIw

Who inspires me now based on ethinic issues

• Carrie Mae Weems

Carrie mae Weems• Born April 20, 1953 in Portland Oregon• Did a composition of photographs.• Most inspirational project to me was Ain’t Jokin; 1987-88• American Icons1988-89 • Kitchen Table Series, 1990• Colored People 1989-90• She shows how the events today can cause negative

stereotypes and prejudice.• This project shows how the era has shifted from being afraid to

voice opinions about racist issues to able to make a mockery of racist jokes, ideas, and phrases.

Why do they interest me?

• Digs into the life of ethnic families and communities.

• Look at issues such as race, poverty, and many other issues that effect the world today.

• Helped shaped photography of the world today by not shying away from the tough topics.

• Also coming from a southern town I think it would be great to view the progression of the African American community now in a smaller southern town versus then.

References• Powerful Days The Civil Rights Photography of

Charles Moore• Time of Change Bruce Davidson• American Photography: A century of Images• Carrie Mae Weems