‘This photo series is in honor of my ancestors’

and

Cornell Watson

September 14, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

“Righteous Rage” We brought you into this world. The land you stole, the economy you propped up on the backs of our ancestors, the wars we fought for your freedom when we weren't free brought you into this world. We are tired. We are tired of police brutality. We are tired of fighting every breathing minute for a quality education. We are tired of fighting for the acknowledgment of and rectification for unequal pay, voter suppression, loan discrimination and redlining. We are tired of having the cops called on us for simply existing. Somewhere between prayer and burning it all down is the America we worked to build. During the creation of this photograph, a black pickup truck lingered ominously. Shortly after finishing, two Halifax County sheriffs pulled up as we were leaving. We were the only ones there. (Cornell Watson)

North Carolina photographer Cornell Watson’s photo series “Behind the Mask” is not only a powerful collection of images and words, it is extraordinarily timely and relevant. It is a reminder, to me, that sometimes I just need to shut up and listen to voices that have long been undervalued and underrepresented.

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The events of this year have brought to the forefront the pain that has been inflicted on far too many of our fellow citizens. And we need to be honest: That pain has been festering for generations and generations, not just the past few months and not just when they generate headlines and take over the airwaves.

Sometimes, more times than not, a lot of us just need to shut up and listen. Watson’s photo series gives us ample opportunity to do just that. In it, Watson lifts up the stories of men and women marked by having to push through the circumstances thrust upon them by centuries of racism. Like the grandfather who, as a young boy, often would walk to school barefoot because he had no shoes. Or the women and children who, despite the odds, are steadfastly moving forward with their lives.

Watson’s words about “Behind the Mask” are far more profound than anything I can say. Here’s an excerpt from his artist statement:

“This photo series is in honor of my ancestors who smiled when they were not happy, laughed when nothing was funny, and cried when they were not sad so that I could be here today. … This is for the time we cut or straighten our hair to be ‘professional.’ For the times we pretend to be happy around our managers after seeing photos of them in Blackface. For the days we show up to work and smile after watching our brothers and sisters lynched on live stream. For the times we change our voices and profile pics to make hotel and dinner reservations. For the times we pretend to be strong when we are dying from the weight of racism.”

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