Photograph by Stephanie Ely
This essay is a part of a collection—we requested 17 Atlantans to inform us how the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has affected their lives in honor of its sixtieth anniversary. Learn all of the articles right here.
Within the wealthy crimson clay of Georgia, lengthy earlier than Atlanta earned its repute as “a metropolis too busy to hate,” the seeds of black dynamism and activism have been planted. Prestigious establishments akin to Morehouse, Spelman, Morris Brown School, Clark School, and Atlanta College attracted gifted blacks from throughout the African diaspora to Atlanta. Simply because the railroad traces connecting to Terminus introduced financial growth to the area, the Atlanta College Heart served as an essential artery for black cultural, political, and non secular development. Even earlier than the Civil Rights Motion gained nationwide and worldwide prominence, Atlanta had lengthy been an essential voice and contributor to the battle for the popularity and safety of black humanity.
I consider that the success of black Atlantans right now will not be solely resulting from enterprise and commerce, however is a testomony to the ability of “black visibility.” Whereas we regularly focus on the affect of adverse photographs of black individuals within the media, we should acknowledge the extra delicate act of black erasure. Versus disappearing, programs are put in place to make sure that black lives and humanity are basically rendered “invisible.” It signifies that there was a deliberate and deliberate try and deny our existence. Throughout the nation, insurance policies and practices have traditionally restricted the areas through which black individuals can stay freely, whether or not residentially, culturally, politically, or intellectually.
Atlanta disclaims such limitation. Boundaries that exist in different cities or elements of the nation do not maintain Atlanta again. Black individuals are all over the place in Atlanta, occupying each room and sitting at each desk. And it isn’t simply wealthy black individuals; It is black individuals from all walks of life. No matter social class, financial standing, neighborhood, or training stage, black visibility in Atlanta is vibrant, numerous, and guaranteed.
As an artist invested in black visible narratives and representations, I see Atlanta as an unparalleled muse. The visibility of black individuals in Atlanta empowers black imaginations and realizations. This sort of visibility, the place one sees oneself and is seen, creates room for private development. And the affect of Atlanta’s black visibility is felt not solely domestically, however globally, each within the current and sooner or later.
Pecou know (who drew this difficulty’s cowl) is an interdisciplinary artist and scholar whose work combines observations on hip-hop, high-quality artwork, and widespread tradition to deal with issues about modern representations of black males.
This text appeared in our June 2024 difficulty.
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