Why Do We Emphasize Black Images & Black Photographers During Black History Month?

Will Matsuda’s interview in Aperture magazine does not focus on art photography specifically, but deals with the origins of racism, ageism, sexism, etc. in businesses that create and sell images. Many of us are trying to sell work, so I thought it would be OK to show this discussion here. In short, all of those -isms work against some people and give opportunities to other people. Lots of media sources have perpetuated those -isms by selecting certain stories to tell, hiring known photographers, and editing images according to -ism based standards. People who are not typically seen after this chain of events occurs, are less likely to be seen/hired to work/have their stories told in the future. It’s a system that effectively supports and maintains itself. But it goes further than that. Being represented in the visuals we see daily has an effect on what we consider to be correct/worthwhile/high quality/normal. Since the USA is a giant image-promoting entity, what we do here spreads all around the world and influences attitudes everywhere.

Becoming more inclusive probably involves realizing what is happening, and then having discussions about why and how to hire people from diverse backgrounds to make and show images about people from diverse backgrounds. Not having to worry about who does what assignment would then become the norm, not just a one-month event.

The Villa at Windsor Park Nursing Home on the South Side of Chicago (detail), 2020, by Danielle Scruggs, from the Aperture interview mentioned above