Brotherhood

I felt it was important to have images of black men together. Not in a confrontational way but in a natural way. Words like brotherhood, camaraderie, friendship, or cooperation are rarely associated with black men in our society. 

The above photograph is of members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.  The men featured hold many roles and titles including; teacher, coach, photographer, business manager, social worker and film maker.  In their communities, they work as mentors to Black youth, support local food banks and a sponsor a host of charities. On a national level, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity support “Bigger and Better Business, Education and Social Action.”  It’s important to note whether their work is local or on a national platform they work on projects together and support each other.

I asked these gentlemen to pose for me because they represent positive attributes of Black malehood and Black brotherhood. Random every day images of Black men socializing, discussing issues, laughing and enjoying each other’s company are seldom published or sent through the media pipeline.  I would wager these images aren’t often seen not because they don’t exist but because they don’t support negative sensationalism.  Black communities are plagued with terms like “Black on Black” crime but seldom do we hear dialogue on “White on White” crime.  One wonders why that is.

Negative depictions of Black men are commonly seen through a variety of media outlets without being questioned or providing any counterbalance. Due to these irresponsible delineations the general public is exposed to a distorted representation of men of color. Are we to think Black men don’t ever get along? Or that the only way they communicate is with violence?

The men featured contradict common myths about men of color, not only are they professionals and businessmen they are also “Every Day” men.  African Americans who are not exceptions to what we see through the media’s slanted lens, but in fact the reality.