History has seen many fascinating films about image makers: Tish Murtha. Perhaps the film medium naturally comes alive when presenting particularly vivid still images. Now arrives another outstanding example, by creator Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and social justice champion who exemplified a distinct artistic-political perspective.
Together with his brother Elombe, he pioneered the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by documenting the African American women in the cultural epicenter: youthful African American women who transformed into the groundbreaking standard for beauty, abandoning typical cosmetic products and the predominant Caucasian model of female beauty.
The Impact of a Revolutionary Slogan
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a powerful rallying cry, an brilliant memorable manifesto for change. Simply declaring that people of color radiated beauty proved to be a transformative force in society, politics and creative expression. Brathwaite grew into a key figure in the social justice African diaspora struggle by capturing images of the sports icon leading up to his historic Zaire bout in that era.
He served as the exclusive image creator for the Jackson 5's international performances, and subsequently assumed the role of the resident artist for the historic Apollo theatre, creating an amazing collection of African American artists. Together with his brother, he became the central figure behind bringing the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in the community.
Family Legacy
The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr is interviewed the family's campaign to ensure due acknowledgment for his parent's achievements after he was painfully excluded in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened by Barack Obama in recent years.
This documentary additionally explores the inexpressibly painful genesis of Brathwaite's interest in image making: the disturbing images of the young victim, the adolescent civil rights lynching victim whose mourning family member boldly demanded an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality could not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
From this image of violence, Brathwaite encountered a kind of anti-epiphany that directed him toward photographs of aspiration. His work beautifully expressed empowering beauty and typically not overtly political: he developed a new visual language of empowerment upon which political movements could mobilize.
This represents an exhilarating testament of cultural impact that still inspire through the years.
