Story TimeHarrisburg, PA

The Beauty and Humanity of Black Men in America:

Intent and Process

Like many Americans the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling shook me.  I went through feelings of sadness, anger and frustration.  The Question of why is this happening and do Black lives really matter held me captive for days. My personal belief system drives me to find either positive solutions or meaningful ways to express myself.  These feelings of wanting and needing to do something in response to the loss of these two men propelled me to begin this project.

The media’s lens paints a skewed and one sided depiction of Black men. This depiction, these negative images do not represent the black men I know; the men who take care of their children, love their wives and parents, and who contribute to their communities and society as a whole.

My response was natural and unassuming. I simply want to share the many faces of the many good men I know who happen to be black. These images are of family members, friends, people I admire, and even strangers.  The most powerful statement we can make is one that represents our true selves, not facades and not how the media identifies us, but our own words, our own images and our humanity.

I invite you to view the images presented through my lens. The smiles and laughter are genuine as is the subtle gestures of love and respect. All I ask is that you let the photographs speak for themselves and challenge your perceptions.