This is Us
One of the reasons The Cosby Show was such a huge breath of fresh air, back in the 80's, was because it assumed that Black folk lived that way - upper middle class, professional, college bound- instead of forcing a message down people's throats that doing those things were special.
We did it in the 80's. We did it in the 30's even among horrendous civil discord. And we do it now.
An exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture Gallery reinforces that the African American experience has always been a diverse one. Photos* left by Addison Scurlock and his two sons depict high society, not as a unique perspective of Black life, but simply as one of the many.
It's Black History Month. The time of year when Black this and African American that is ballyed about in an effort to give "special" attention to the contributions African Americans have made. But the Scurlock exhibit and its photos dating back nearly eighty years reminds me - this is us and it's always been.
So can we finally, please Lord, put to rest entertainment that caters to the lowest common denominator of the Black experience?
Please!
The Scurlock exhibit runs through November 15, 2009.
*If you click the link, you may be required to register at Washinton Post.com to view the story and photos.
posted by Paula at 9:35 AM
2 Comments:
Great post. Made me think.
Plus, those photos are killer. I love photos shot in black and white, first of all, and the time period covered in the pictures, too, is always alluring. What is it about the manner of dress 1920-50's, especially, that makes people look so much more sophisticated than people look today? It's as if no one was allowed to look like a slob then. What's happened to us? (I ask as I sit here in a ratty pair of jeans and a stained T-shirt... ha!)
My favorite photo was the one of the women at Griffith Stadium, 1920's. Love the faces. Love the hats!And I wonder what each of them is thinking as they look at the camera.
(FYI -- I didn't have to "register" to see them, your provided link put me right there.)
--CC
I was thinking the same thing re: how in the 20's amd 30's people looked more sophisticated. I wonder what drssing down looked like.
Post a Comment
<< Home