The Strength of A Black Man's Heart
Ismael and I have come together with this video to express our emotions over the recent tragedies linked to systemic racism against the Black community in America. Our creative outlets were the best ways to do so to call America out for what it is and what it has been.
Devonte Sykes of Groundwerk Media provided the soundtrack for Ismael’s powerful words. The photos and video were taken and created by myself. This is an Unidentified Company production!
I’m always happy I do not have to look far to create meaningful work within my circle.
All photos were shot on Kodak Tri-X 400.
Title: The Strength of a Black Man’s Heart
Brothers and Sisters,
My mind has been anchored in a lightless abyss by the absence of humanity demonstrated towards men and women who share my skin pigmentation. Free of contrition, the plight of a Black, bold and beautiful people, is dismissed by a country actively choosing not to acknowledge the wrongdoings of its forefathers and the subsequent policies penned by them.
The exhaustion of generations resides within the hearts of protesters invigorated by the togetherness of those marching with them both physically and spiritually. The fires broadcasted across major media outlets nightly are merely reflections of the fires burning inside us all, imbued by pain and frustration. Our fight is not with an isolated organization or a leaderless government (no, no, no) but with a terror, known as white supremacy, in which feels compelled to diminish any reality of true equality.
Brothers and sisters,
Embolden by the prayers of our grandmothers, we are a resilient people, who will continue to combat the perils of hatred inflicted upon us. No matter how much you count out a persecuted people, black people, will relentlessly ascend beyond your insecurities. For we demand justice, equality and the pursuit of happiness in a nation guaranteeing freedom to all its citizens.
We will not accept anything less than what we are OWED by America, in America. For we demand a lot because we are owed more.
By: Ismael R. Brown,
A Black Man
