History has seen many fascinating features about visual artists: Vivian Maier. Perhaps cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when showcasing remarkably striking photographs. Today comes another remarkable example, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, musician and African American activist who embodied a special cultural-activist approach.
Alongside his brother Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by photographing the African American women in Harlem: young African American women who emerged as the sensational standard for visual appeal, rejecting conventional beauty standards and the usual Caucasian model of female beauty.
The Influence of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a transformative call to action, an visionary concise declaration for transformation. Simply stating that black people were beautiful emerged as a transformative influence in art, politics and creative expression. Brathwaite became a key figure in the civil rights global Black movement by photographing the sports icon before his iconic Rumble in the Jungle in 1974.
He became the primary image creator for the Jackson 5's international performances, and eventually became the official visual chronicler for the legendary Apollo theatre, assembling an extraordinary portfolio of musical pioneers. Together with Elombe, he was the key organizer behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to appear in the community.
Historical Recognition
His son the younger Brathwaite is interviewed the family's mission to secure proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was painfully ignored in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, inaugurated by Barack Obama in this century.
The film further reveals the profoundly sorrowful genesis of the artist's interest in photography: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the adolescent African American lynching victim whose grieving mother boldly requested an public viewing so the violent nature of racial hatred might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Hope
In this vision of tragedy, the artist found a type of anti-epiphany that led him toward images of aspiration. His images powerfully conveyed celebratory strength and typically not overtly political: he curated a innovative iconography of empowerment around which activist groups could mobilize.
This represents an inspiring record of cultural impact that continues to resonate through the years.
