We have witnessed many fascinating features focusing on photographers: Martin Parr. It could be the film medium naturally comes alive when showcasing particularly vivid photographs. Here we have one more outstanding example, from creator Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, performer and civil rights advocate who embodied a special politico-aesthetic vision.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by documenting the African American women in the cultural epicenter: young women of color who transformed into the sensational standard for visual appeal, moving beyond typical cosmetic products and the predominant white standard of womanhood.
The Power of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful became a radical call to action, an visionary memorable manifesto for progress. Just declaring that African Americans possessed beauty became a liberating influence in art, politics and the arts. Brathwaite grew into part of the civil rights global Black cause by photographing the sports icon before his iconic championship fight in the seventies.
He became the official photographer for the musical group's continental journey, and later was named the official visual chronicler for the legendary cultural institution, building an amazing collection of African American artists. Together with Elombe, he was the central figure behind bringing Nelson Mandela to appear in Harlem.
Family Legacy
The photographer's offspring his namesake recounts the personal quest to secure appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly overlooked in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, opened by Barack Obama in recent years.
The feature also recounts the deeply tragic origin of the photographer's passion for visual storytelling: the disturbing pictures of the lynching martyr, the teenage African American lynching victim whose mourning family member boldly demanded an public viewing so the violent nature of racial hatred would not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Hope
From this image of violence, Brathwaite encountered a form of anti-epiphany that directed him toward photographs of aspiration. His work powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and typically nuanced in approach: he developed a innovative visual language of empowerment around which activist groups could gather.
This represents an inspiring testament of creative genius that persists in empower decades later.
