Consistently while I was teaching over the summer, my students would mention the one African-American 
studies, or Sociology or Urban Politics class that “changed their life.” They would talk about how these classes drastically changed their perspectives on themselves, their family and their socio-political position in this country. For many of them, these classes were the reason they decided to pursue graduate degrees. One young man even went against the wishes of his family and went from being a business major to a black studies major.
It caused me to reflect on my own undergraduate experience. It brought to mind a memory long forgotten, a conversation I had with a professor after a particularly emotional [for me] class session on lynching during the Jim Crow era. I asked her, “how come you don’t seem upset when you look at these images class after class?” I was struck by her answer, she said… “its funny, after looking at this brutality for so long, I’m always surprised by how emotional students become while looking at them.”
Six years later, as I had the opportunity to walk through the Road to Freedom exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum, both sets of conversations rushed through my mind. Observing both the pictures and the people around me, I found myself surprised both by their reactions and my own.
As a relatively young academic who has seen the brutal images of protesters being attacked by dogs, hosed down and savagely beaten, time and time again. I found myself mildly in awe of adults twice my age who were viewing these images for the first time. I watched them gasp in horror, and even become teary as some were learning about these events at the same as their children. It was a chilling reminder that black history month isn’t all its cracked up to be…
But surprisingly, I found myself emotionally moved by the exhibit as well. While many of the images I had seen before, some… like a photo of a young man with a dog’s teeth literally gauging his stomach… were shockingly new to me. Others, like those of Alex Wilson being beaten by a savage mob, never cease to illicit a visceral reaction.
Road to Freedom is an amazing exhibit because it doesn’t just stop in 1963. It goes all the way through 1968 and even covers the often forgotten Poor People’s Campaign (which Coretta Scott King avidly supported).
It features photography from a diverse set of photographers, including the unconquerable Gordan Parks. As someone who dreams incessantly about one day being able to take such poignant, powerful photos… the exhibit is just as much a demonstration of exceptional talent, as it is a historical reminder.
But as I always do when I look at these photos, I couldn’t help but wonder about the ethnics of the journalists taking them. What does it mean to be the white photographer standing inside of the mob while a black journalist is beaten over the head with a brick? What does it mean to stand by clicking photos while young girls are attacked my dogs, sprayed with tear gas or dragged through the streets?
While it is unquestionable that these photos and video images were a large part of why the American public was moved to act against this savagery, I can’t help but wonder about the morality of it.
How many of these photographers really saw themselves as moved by a passion for social justice and saw their presence as an important part of the social movement? I would be willing to guess that many of these photographers realized that this was just the “next big story” and with the emergence of independent news agencies like the Associated Press, recognized what a huge boost to their careers this could be [and ultimately was].
These are questions that we will never have the answer to, unfortunately history is written by those who survive. I guess the bigger question is, how much do the ethics of this type of photography actually matter? Should we ultimately be appalled or grateful?
All in all, despite my skepticism, I highly recommend that you check out the exhibit. If you get a chance, pick up the beautiful coffee table book as well!
peace.
The Road to Freedom Exhibit will be at the Chicago Field Museum from June 5, 2009 until September 7, 2009
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