Throughout American history - especially between the 1800s to early 1900s - power of the still picture captured the strength - along with a persevering will to thrive and survive - of women-of-color in the eyes of American society. At a later time in U.S. History, photography would once again capture a revolutionary movement sparked by yet another black women at a time when Rosa Parks was simply too tired to move. From Sojourner Truth to Ida B. Wells they survived slavery and reconstruction to become super-women in a biased America built on the foundation of life, liberty and equality for all.
Sojourner Truth was a true visionary, leader and follower who accepted and illustrated Frederick Douglass' constant call to correct systemically negative images painted by white America of negroes through the art of photography. Truth and Douglass both knew that history in America was not intended to capture the positive nature of the negro, therefore, it became necessary for them to counteract less than flattering images by creating self-portraits of a positive nature. Truth also personified characteristics of truth, elegance, and high fashion with an inherent desire to demonstrate a certain poetic justice through the still images of her day.
Truthfully speaking, it's a realization of truth when a people can rise above tyranny and injustice to accurately portray worth of the real self. Today, we as a people must recapture the dignity of who we are as we travel the road of discovery in an effort to identify who we must become in the 21st Century. Sojourner Truth taught us that we must quietly capture the soul of ourselves for others to know who we are and not to depend on others to accurately paint our picture as a people. In a more flamboyant way, Ida B. Wells became a warrior for justice as she vigorously protested the normalization of lynching armed with a certain determination to paint a portrait of injustice too often condoned by guardians of the U.S. Constitution. Truth and Wells, obviously, were intelligent women who would not condone the conspiracy of American society to degrade, dehumanize, demonize, or destroy the positive nature of negroes; therefore, taking action to counteract negativity by illustrating a positive image for all to see.
Dr. DuBois realized the power of positivity and used it to show black women In an often ignored positive way; with dignity and intelligence while also being the backbone of black culture. Women's History month presents a unique opportunity for all Americans to evaluate their individual roles concerning the concept of "twoness" while living in an America deeply rooted in black and white. It is the realistic "twoness" that we must focus on while following the lead of Truth, Wells, King, Obama and other historical figures (women) who knew and know the power of a positive image. History may forget the words you speak, your thoughts or the ideas you shared, but, it will always remember the images you leave behind.
Truthfully speaking, it's a realization of truth when a people can rise above tyranny and injustice to accurately portray worth of the real self. Today, we as a people must recapture the dignity of who we are as we travel the road of discovery in an effort to identify who we must become in the 21st Century. Sojourner Truth taught us that we must quietly capture the soul of ourselves for others to know who we are and not to depend on others to accurately paint our picture as a people. In a more flamboyant way, Ida B. Wells became a warrior for justice as she vigorously protested the normalization of lynching armed with a certain determination to paint a portrait of injustice too often condoned by guardians of the U.S. Constitution. Truth and Wells, obviously, were intelligent women who would not condone the conspiracy of American society to degrade, dehumanize, demonize, or destroy the positive nature of negroes; therefore, taking action to counteract negativity by illustrating a positive image for all to see.Dr. DuBois realized the power of positivity and used it to show black women In an often ignored positive way; with dignity and intelligence while also being the backbone of black culture. Women's History month presents a unique opportunity for all Americans to evaluate their individual roles concerning the concept of "twoness" while living in an America deeply rooted in black and white. It is the realistic "twoness" that we must focus on while following the lead of Truth, Wells, King, Obama and other historical figures (women) who knew and know the power of a positive image. History may forget the words you speak, your thoughts or the ideas you shared, but, it will always remember the images you leave behind.
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Dr. James A. Dula PhD
-Essayist -
Civic and Business Leader
Social Activist
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