The Divided States Of America: A Photo Essay

Protest (prōˌtest ), a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something. When in action it’s an expression of objection to what someone has said or done.

For decades, and even centuries, Black people have utilized this form of “art in motion” to bring awareness to the issues and unfair treatment that plague our communities day in and day out. While the Constitution would have us to believe that protesting is a right afforded to all citizens, it seems that when coming from Black voices, this art is neither respected nor accepted.

But here we are, standing in the shoes of our elders. 

Perhaps only two generations removed, our elders stood at the front lines while being hosed down by police. They suffered debilitating injuries, lost their vision, and still stood tall through stitches and casts. They did so on the small hope that their children and their children’s children wouldn’t have to live life like this too. Yet as the adage goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

We are now the generation protesting for the chance to have our children, and our children’s children live in a world where our Black skin is not only just accepted, but respected. 

“This, this right here is history, and I had to document it. See, photography is like the freezing of time, and I’m kind of a superhero in that way.” Joshua Galloway, local photographer and owner of The Creative Gentleman told The Block.

Despite everything that has been done to us decade after decade, we are only seeking equality and not revenge. Which honestly, the world should be thankful for.

“I won’t lie, I was scared to go out there. But now, my photos have historical reference. Because in the end, we represent more than just ourselves. Our Blackness has shifted around so many people for so many reasons for far too long, and now we’re moving into the unapologetic phase of being Black. So this is BIGGER than me,” Galloway said.

“Our Blackness has shifted around so many people for so many reasons for far too long, and now we’re moving into the unapologetic phase of being Black.”

-Joshua Galloway

Somewhere along the way, our elders handed us the keys to this movement. They said the revolution wouldn’t be televised but couldn’t have predicted the surgance of social media. The revolution IS televised (or at the very least live streamed) and it’s showing the world is burning. Even the babies are fed up, and they haven’t even lived life long enough to truly understand why.

People are mad at us for having the audacity to march through “their” streets. Yet, every reaction we have to our injustice seems to be the wrong one. We can’t kneel, we can’t march, we can’t speak out, we can’t keep silent, and we can’t ask questions.

So, instead of listening to society’s cant’s, we defied orders. We are the calvary now. And we are not stopping until we’re NOT dead.