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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

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Untitled #44, Crenshaw Blvd, Ca

Untitled #44, Crenshaw Blvd, Ca

Jon Henry Report

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

    Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry

    Jon Henry Report

    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

    Untitled #35, North Minneapolis, Mn

    Jon Henry Report

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    Rich Gee
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WTF, not here not in this country, It's not suppose to be this way people. Wake up and change damnit

    Diane Crawford
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A child was killed playing in park by legal guardians. A pox on those who do not understand the pain a mother and father had went through after finding out how their love child died.

    sharron lynn parsons
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is no way, I can't imagine losing a child, especially from violence, and the thought, of a police officer, killing my child, the police are trained, shoot to kill, and to know, a teenager, killed by police for a minor crime, in many cases, they could shoot their leg, stop them without killing them !!!

    Adventures In Modern Recording
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Look at all the bot accounts spamming "This is heartbreaking...no mother should have to fear for child's life based on solely the colour of their skin." 🙄

    Ilse Steyn
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Why where you involved again with the police

    Jess Zetts
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who was involved with the police? It sounds like you’re making assumptions.

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    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.

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    #4

    Untitled #42, Central Los Angeles, Ca

    Untitled #42, Central Los Angeles, Ca

    Jon Henry Report

    #5

    Untitled #5 Parkchester, NY

    Untitled #5 Parkchester, NY

    Jon Henry Report

    #6

    Untitled #33, Jersey City, Nj

    Untitled #33, Jersey City, Nj

    Jon Henry Report

    #7

    “Untitled 48, Inglewood, Ca”

    “Untitled 48, Inglewood, Ca”

    Jon Henry Report

    #8

    Untitled #19 Magnificent Mile, Il

    Untitled #19 Magnificent Mile, Il

    Jon Henry Report

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    #9

    Untitled #25 Montgomery, Al

    Untitled #25 Montgomery, Al

    Jon Henry Report

    #10

    Untitled #55 Little Rock, Ar

    Untitled #55 Little Rock, Ar

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled #17 South Side Chicago, Il

    Untitled #17 South Side Chicago, Il

    Jon Henry Report

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    #12

    Jon Henry, “Untitled 39, Santa Monica, Ca”

    Jon Henry, “Untitled 39, Santa Monica, Ca”

    Jon Henry Report

    #13

    Untitled 53, North Little Rock, Ar

    Untitled 53, North Little Rock, Ar

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled 56, Houston Tx

    Untitled 56, Houston Tx

    Jon Henry Report

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    “Untitled 45, Oakland, Ca”

    “Untitled 45, Oakland, Ca”

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled #13 Groveland Park, Il

    Untitled #13 Groveland Park, Il

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled 51, New Orleans, La

    Untitled 51, New Orleans, La

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled #3 Harlem, NY

    Untitled #3 Harlem, NY

    Jon Henry Report

    #19

    Untitled #1 Co-Op City, NY

    Untitled #1 Co-Op City, NY

    Jon Henry Report

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    #20

    Untitled #29, North Miami, Fl

    Untitled #29, North Miami, Fl

    Jon Henry Report

    #21

    Untitled #24 Birmingham, Al

    Untitled #24 Birmingham, Al

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled 46, San Francisco, Ca

    Untitled 46, San Francisco, Ca

    Jon Henry Report

    #23

    Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry

    Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled #21, Berwyn, Il

    Untitled #21, Berwyn, Il

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled 50, West Orange Nj

    Untitled 50, West Orange Nj

    Jon Henry Report

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    Untitled #31, Wynwood, Fl

    Untitled #31, Wynwood, Fl

    Jon Henry Report

    #27

    Untitled #9 Newburgh, NY

    Untitled #9 Newburgh, NY

    Jon Henry Report

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    #28

    Untitled #11 Buffalo, NY

    Untitled #11 Buffalo, NY

    Jon Henry Report