Law Enforcement in Photography
Marvin Joseph set himself the task of visualizing racism through a lens and chose one of his photo shoots to surround itself with the topic of law enforcement and police brutality, which currently a very big topic. He picks upon how black people are treated differently by the police although the police and law enforcement is meant to be what protects society and is meant to make everyone feel safe. Especially at the moment, black people, particularly in America, do not feel safe; outside or in their own homes. For instance, last year a woman by the name of Atatiana K. Jefferson, was shot through her own home through her bedroom window, whilst playing a game with her nephew in Texas by a police officicer.
“For inspiration, Malon Ali and I visited the Spirit Halloween store. While we were looking for the ugliest masks we could find, we spotted the faux crime-scene tape. The epiphany took hold instantly for both of us. The tape would illustrate the message: that being black in America can be a crime. Malon’s dark-skinned body would be wrapped mummy-like and consumed by this tape — which is proving impossible to shake off. His attempts as he leaps, poses, runs or even dances are in vain. He cannot escape the ever-looming presence of racism.”
Relation to Modern Racism
In today’s society, many crimes have occurred on the polices enforcement’s part. Although many black people get blamed for crimes they haven’t committed and police officers get away with; racism, abuse and sometimes even murder, just because they’re white/have government power backing them up.
“Loud in our laughter, silent in our suffering”
The Black Lives Matter movement has protested against black people being silent in their suffering and making sure that black people are heard in want they want and need. This photo shoot in particular illustrates how black people are not free; they are controlled by white people still, more importantly they are controlled by the government. They are unable to speak their truth and unable to say what needs to be said. There is still subtle racism everywhere. In America it is the least subtle but just because place’s like the UK are said to be the “least racist” doesn’t mean they’re not still racist and it doesn’t make it acceptable.
