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Black Mothers Act Out What Might Be The Future Of Their Sons In The US (28 Pics)
Artist Jon Henry started working on his photography series Stranger Fruit back in 2014. What began as a protest against senseless police killings of black people ended up being a lot of other things, too. Most notably, it's an introspective mirror that allows viewers to examine their own take on the subject.
The people we see in the photos are real mothers, posing in their own environment with their actual sons, reenacting what it must feel like to lose them. The mothers are isolated. Alone. Empty. When the trials are over and the protesters have gone home, when the news cameras are gone and nobody is around anymore, the mother remains on the site forever. There's no peace of mind; the scene will always haunt her.
These mothers understand that this could happen to their family at any moment.
More info: jonhenryphotography.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Untitled #44, Crenshaw Blvd, Ca
Chloe Drury 4 years ago
this is why we say black lives matter because people need reminding that POC are humans too.
From a rural area in North Minneapolis to a street corner in Jersey City, Henry has visited a lot of places for the series. "I chose these locations because I could find subjects there," the photographer told Bored Panda. "The locations are where the families live and work. I'm looking for areas that describe the city and/or state from a geographical and architectural point of view."
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#2
Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry
Even though these shots are staged, they radiate authenticity. "The families choose whatever they are comfortable with wearing, so that helps the natural feel," Henry explained. "The comfort level with the family also helps the feel of the images. These aren't actors, they are family that [really] consider these issues."
#3
Untitled #35, North Minneapolis, Mn
The photographer wanted the mothers to pose deadpan to appeal more directly to the viewer. And they do. They look directly in our eyes, as if asking, how do we feel and what are we going to do about this. "The viewer can make their own decision on how to respond to the images," Henry concluded.
#4
Untitled #42, Central Los Angeles, Ca
#5
Untitled #5 Parkchester, NY
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
This is heartbreaking...no mother should have to fear for child's life based on solely the colour of their skin.
#6
Untitled #33, Jersey City, Nj
Anxious-lesbian-disaster 4 years ago
This is so sad. No mother should have to fear for her son's life because fo their skin.
#7
“Untitled 48, Inglewood, Ca”
#8
Untitled #19 Magnificent Mile, Il
Garrison Cox 4 years ago
Reminds me of Michelangelo's Pieta in the Vatican. http://www.italianrenaissance.org/michelangelos-pieta/
#9
Untitled #25 Montgomery, Al
#10
Untitled #55 Little Rock, Ar
#11
Untitled #17 South Side Chicago, Il
Omar Pearson 4 years ago
I'm just imagining the people who just don't care and it makes me SMAD!!
#12
Jon Henry, “Untitled 39, Santa Monica, Ca”
#13
Untitled 53, North Little Rock, Ar
Carole Deem 4 years ago
I have cried over every one of these pictures. people treasure and love each other.
#14
Untitled 56, Houston Tx
#15
“Untitled 45, Oakland, Ca”
#16
Untitled #13 Groveland Park, Il
#17
Untitled 51, New Orleans, La
#18
Untitled #3 Harlem, NY
#19
Untitled #1 Co-Op City, NY
#20
Untitled #29, North Miami, Fl
#21
Untitled #24 Birmingham, Al
#22
Untitled 46, San Francisco, Ca
#23
Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry
#24
Untitled #21, Berwyn, Il
#25
Untitled 50, West Orange Nj
#26
Untitled #31, Wynwood, Fl
#27
Untitled #9 Newburgh, NY
#28
Untitled #11 Buffalo, NY
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What do you think ?
Louloubelle 4 years ago
This is heart wrenching. I am not black, but I am a mother, and cannot fathom losing my son. But to lose them to this everyday violence is beyond comprehension.
Up All Night 4 years ago
Why no one fears for the daughters? They are also more likely to get arrested than white girls.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Since someone will probably say this is tacky, tasteless... See Michelangelo's famous PIeta. Every mother's sorrow over a dead son. That was the artist's point. The humanity. And that's the point of these photos.
Daria B 4 years ago (edited)
Spot on. Pietà was amongst the first things that came to my mind too. And this series is using art and religious motifs in a very clever way, to make sure we understand it's more than politics - it's a matter of empathy for the fellow human being. It brings out so many points and questions.
Load More Replies...
Logan Jones 4 years ago
It is a shame that so many men (white and black) are being killed on a daily basis not by police but other men. I know this will get down voted because white liberals do NOT really want to raise a single damn finger to stop the 6000 murders of blacks every year. They want to keep us in chains. Keep us dependent on DC millionaires. People will destroy a city because of the 20 + killings by the police. Crickets when it is just another brother shot any other time. Tell me I'm wrong. There will be reckoning for you folks that politicize everything and only promote your agenda. You sacrifice a brother for your politics. You would take out the police know damn well that just gets another brother killed.
Harleen 4 years ago
THIS! It seems that "black lives matter" only when taken by a white officer. Where are they when a brother is killed by another? Where are the rioters when gangs shoot up a neighborhood and injure someone who was just sitting on a porch? What about the numerous people still living in extreme poverty, where tiny little kids are starving? To me, their lives matter just as much. Sheer statistics show that any POC is far more likely to be harmed by another black individual than anyone else. It's time we start taking accountability and quit turning a blind eye or trying to blame someone else. But no one wants to hear that
Load More Replies...
Louloubelle 4 years ago
This is heart wrenching. I am not black, but I am a mother, and cannot fathom losing my son. But to lose them to this everyday violence is beyond comprehension.
Up All Night 4 years ago
Why no one fears for the daughters? They are also more likely to get arrested than white girls.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Since someone will probably say this is tacky, tasteless... See Michelangelo's famous PIeta. Every mother's sorrow over a dead son. That was the artist's point. The humanity. And that's the point of these photos.
Daria B 4 years ago (edited)
Spot on. Pietà was amongst the first things that came to my mind too. And this series is using art and religious motifs in a very clever way, to make sure we understand it's more than politics - it's a matter of empathy for the fellow human being. It brings out so many points and questions.
Load More Replies... Logan Jones 4 years ago
It is a shame that so many men (white and black) are being killed on a daily basis not by police but other men. I know this will get down voted because white liberals do NOT really want to raise a single damn finger to stop the 6000 murders of blacks every year. They want to keep us in chains. Keep us dependent on DC millionaires. People will destroy a city because of the 20 + killings by the police. Crickets when it is just another brother shot any other time. Tell me I'm wrong. There will be reckoning for you folks that politicize everything and only promote your agenda. You sacrifice a brother for your politics. You would take out the police know damn well that just gets another brother killed.
Harleen 4 years ago
THIS! It seems that "black lives matter" only when taken by a white officer. Where are they when a brother is killed by another? Where are the rioters when gangs shoot up a neighborhood and injure someone who was just sitting on a porch? What about the numerous people still living in extreme poverty, where tiny little kids are starving? To me, their lives matter just as much. Sheer statistics show that any POC is far more likely to be harmed by another black individual than anyone else. It's time we start taking accountability and quit turning a blind eye or trying to blame someone else. But no one wants to hear that
Load More Replies...
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