History has seen numerous fascinating features highlighting photographers: Vivian Maier. It could be the documentary format truly excels when showcasing remarkably striking photographs. Now comes one more remarkable instance, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and African American activist who exemplified a special politico-aesthetic approach.
Alongside his family member Elombe, he pioneered the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the mid-century era by capturing the Grandassa Models in Harlem: young women of color who emerged as the sensational standard for beauty, rejecting conventional beauty standards and the established Caucasian standard of female beauty.
The Influence of Three Words
This powerful statement transformed into a transformative call to action, an inspired memorable prose poem for change. Just to assert that African Americans radiated beauty proved to be a transformative power in culture, social movements and the arts. The photographer became part of the civil rights African diaspora cause by documenting the legendary boxer leading up to his iconic Rumble in the Jungle in the seventies.
He served as the primary photographer for the Jackson 5's international performances, and eventually was named the house photographer for the legendary Harlem venue, assembling an amazing portfolio of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he became the key organizer behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in New York.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring his namesake recounts the their mission to secure proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly excluded in the prestigious cultural museum, opened by Barack Obama in 2016.
The feature also recounts the inexpressibly painful origin of Brathwaite's passion for photography: the disturbing photographs of Emmett Till, the teenage African American murder victim whose grieving mother boldly demanded an open coffin so the violent nature of racist violence might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
From this image of tragedy, the visionary found a form of profound understanding that led him toward images of beauty. His images beautifully expressed empowering beauty and often subtle in messaging: he established a new symbolic representation of empowerment around which social causes could unite.
It is an captivating testament of cultural impact that continues to empower through the years.
