Inspired by the killings of African America men and how the media is displaying an injustice portrayal of each of these men, this work was created to break down the barriers that the news media doesn’t show and really define, who are black America.

 

In this work, I examined six African American men from various backgrounds:

 

- Miles Williams
- Demetrius Oliver 
- Andre Davis
- Odell Benton
- Corey Mitchell
- Shelldon Lewinson

 

Together this project works as a triptych piece; a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together. The first image consists of words that were said to each man (whether positive or negative), that has left a mark on their life. The second image is a photograph that has psychologically shaped their life. The final photograph is an image of the man posed with an American flag. These works tell the story of each individual. The men had free reign to choose their posing with the flag, which allowed them to demonstrate their own opinion of what they think of today's society and how they treat African American men.

 

The news media has a tendency to depict black men in baggy clothes or in the streets of their neighborhood and only mention the kind of information that harms the individual’s image in the public eye. I believe the media does this to justify the social stigma of African American men.

 

Through this work, I hope to inspire the public to look deeper into the individuals that media displays and not just at the color of their skin.