A Nation’s Uprising

Black photojournalists share their images from the new frontlines.

author : Trix Staff

art : Dee Dwyer, Flo Ngala, Steven Irby, Lynsey Weatherspoon, Sarahbeth Maney

Week of June 1, 2020 — America’s frontline has shifted to the streets, and Black photojournalists are putting themselves at the center.

Trix published a view through their lenses and captured their perspective on what it’s like to document the spectrum of grief and hope reverberating in protests across the nation.

Studies have found that media coverage tends to over-index on violent aspects of movements associated with racial justice and police brutality, skewing the public view and contributing to the collective trauma of Black journalists and communities. But these photojournalists show there’s more to the story.

“I’m here to show the revolution the right way by putting humanity first. My people are beautiful and should be treated as such.” Dee Dwyer, Washington D.C.

 

PHOTO: DEE DWYER
PHOTO: DEE DWYER
Members of Black Lives Matter D.C. Chapter protesting after the killing of George Floyd in Washington, D.C. PHOTO: DEE DWYER
Members of Black Lives Matter D.C. Chapter protesting after the killing of George Floyd in Washington, D.C. PHOTO: DEE DWYER
Black Lives Matter D.C. Chapter member
Black Lives Matter D.C. Chapter member "Nee Nee" raises her fist symbolizing "Black Power" in front of a Secret Service Agent near the White House. PHOTO: DEE DWYER

“I am happy I found it in myself to decide I’d had enough and that it’s time to do something different. Rest In Peace George Floyd and all Black people who’ve lost their lives at the hands of another human’s hate or fear of them in America and around the world.” Flo Ngala, New York City

Young woman with Black Lives Matter sign marches at the front of a crowd on May 30 in Downtown Brooklyn, NY. PHOTO: FLO NGALA
Young woman with Black Lives Matter sign marches at the front of a crowd on May 30 in Downtown Brooklyn, NY. PHOTO: FLO NGALA

“This is not the time to be on your ass afraid. Our freedom is at stake, and we must protect our humanity.” Steven Irby, New York City

Young woman marches at the George Floyd Protest on May 31 in New York City. PHOTO: STEVEN IRBY
Young woman marches at the George Floyd Protest on May 31 in New York City. PHOTO: STEVEN IRBY

“We’re focusing more on maintaining the freedom we, as Black people, rightfully deserve and putting an end to systemic issues against Black people in America. My hope is that when people see these photos they know that we fought harder than we ever did before in the name of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the countless lives of Black folks in our nation.” Lynsey Weatherspoon, Atlanta, GA

PHOTO: LYNSEY WEATHERSPOON
PHOTO: LYNSEY WEATHERSPOON
Protestors for the death of George Floyd and other African Americans killed by police brutality on May 29 in Atlanta, Georgia. PHOTO: LYNSEY WEATHERSPOON
Protestors for the death of George Floyd and other African Americans killed by police brutality on May 29 in Atlanta, Georgia. PHOTO: LYNSEY WEATHERSPOON

“As a Black female photojournalist it’s my natural instinct to make images that speak to me, my own identity and hold power to resonate with other people. When I saw Louis Michael proudly dressed in his cap and gown, he was standing directly in front of the police line. To me, that moment spoke volumes. Without saying a word, Louis Michael made a profound statement.” Sarahbeth Maney, Bay Area, CA

Vallejo resident Louis Michael, 22, raises his fist in solidarity after the death of George Floyd. Michael wears his graduation cap and gown during a protest on Friday, May 29 in Oakland, CA after receiving his bachelor's degree in communications from MidAmerica Nazarene University. PHOTO: SARAHBETH MANEY
Vallejo resident Louis Michael, 22, raises his fist in solidarity after the death of George Floyd. Michael wears his graduation cap and gown during a protest on Friday, May 29 in Oakland, CA after receiving his bachelor's degree in communications from MidAmerica Nazarene University. PHOTO: SARAHBETH MANEY
10 year old Sashay dancing for protesters at the Black Lives Matter march for George Floyd on May 30 in Washington, D.C. at The Wharf. BLM members shut down access to the wharf to bring awareness to Police Brutality. PHOTO: DEE DWYER
10 year old Sashay dancing for protesters at the Black Lives Matter march for George Floyd on May 30 in Washington, D.C. at The Wharf. BLM members shut down access to the wharf to bring awareness to Police Brutality. PHOTO: DEE DWYER

RESOURCES FOR OUR READERS

Trix stands in solidarity with our Black communities and commits to providing a platform for voices and resources working to end systemic racial injustice and police brutality.

Here are some of the organizations dedicated to a better quality of life for Black women, girls and artists.

Loveland Foundation
Loveland Foundation is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Our resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing. We are becoming the ones we’ve been waiting for.

Black Mammas Matter
Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. We center Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.

Cave Canem
Founded in 1996, Cave Canem is a national organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets.

Higher Heights
Higher Heights Leadership Fund is building a national civic engagement infrastructure and network to strengthen Black women’s leadership capacity. Higher Heights Leadership Fund is investing in a long-term strategy to expand and support Black women’s leadership pipeline at all levels.