History has seen many compelling films highlighting image makers: Vivian Maier. Maybe cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when presenting remarkably striking visual compositions. Now we have one more exceptional example, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, performer and African American activist who represented a unique politico-aesthetic vision.
Together with his family member Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by documenting the African American women in New York: youthful African American women who emerged as the groundbreaking archetype for aesthetics, moving beyond traditional beauty standards and the predominant white ideal of female beauty.
The Impact of a Simple Phrase
Black Is Beautiful transformed into a radical rallying cry, an brilliant concise manifesto for change. Simply stating that people of color radiated beauty became a liberating force in culture, activism and creative expression. The photographer grew into integral to the Black power African diaspora struggle by photographing the legendary boxer prior to his iconic championship fight in that era.
He served as the official visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's African tour, and subsequently became the official visual chronicler for the legendary Apollo theatre, creating an incredible archive of musical pioneers. Together with his brother, he became the driving force behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to speak in New York.
Family Legacy
His son his namesake recounts the family's campaign to achieve appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully ignored in Washington DC's cultural museum, established by the political leader in this century.
This documentary further reveals the inexpressibly painful origin of the photographer's interest in image making: the horrendous pictures of the young victim, the young civil rights tragic figure whose grieving mother boldly demanded an public viewing so the brutal truth of racist violence would not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
From this representation of horror, Brathwaite found a kind of transformative realization that guided him toward images of community. His work powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and often not overtly political: he developed a new visual language of strength upon which social causes could gather.
This represents an exhilarating record of cultural impact that continues to empower decades later.
