“ELEMENT” 27Sunday June 2017 Issue
OBJECT DESCRIPTIONS
This photograph taken by civil rights photographer, Gordon Parks, is directly referenced in Kendrick Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” music video. Parks was known for using his camera to depict scenes of American poverty and racism. In this scene we see famous African American boxer, Muhammad Ali, teaching a young boy how to fight. Kendrick uses this scene in his music video “ELEMENT.” The father is on his knees, level with Parks, Gordon, 1912-. 1963. Elijah Muhammad’s daughter, Ethel Shariff in Chicago. This photograph taken by civil rights photographer, Gordon Parks, is directly referenced in Kendrick
Takac, Balasz. 2020. “Gordon Parks’s Segregated America at Alison Jacques Gallery.” Widewalls. This photograph taken by civil rights photog-
Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” music video. Parks was known for using his camera to depict scenes of American poverty and racism. In this image we see multiple black nuns
rapher, Gordon Parks, is directly referenced in Kendrick
wearing all white, staring at the camera. This image by
Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” music video. Parks was known for
Gordon Parks is recreated in Kendrick Lamar’s “ELE-
using his camera to depict scenes of American pover-
MENT.” and can be seen as a reference to his faith.
ty and racism. This image captures what seems to be
his son, and the son is standing in front of him with his fists up in a fighting stance. The father repeatedly taps himself in the cheek and grabs the son’s arm, signaling him to punch him there. This is yet another moment captured by photographer Park and translated by Lamar, however, it seems like a memory many young black and brown boys face; including Kendrick Lamar. With the scenes of the children holding up guns and being taught how to fight amongst grown men in the gangs, men being beaten and running from flashing lights, Kendrick states “They won’t take me out my element…”
three young american boys living in poverty. The child in the middle is holding a gun and aiming in the distance. Kendrick uses this as a reference in his video by recreating this exact scene depicting the surrounding environment manyAmerican children living in poverty find themselves in, in this case, violence is suggested.
Gonzales, David. 2016. “Two Champions: Muhammad Ali and Gordon Parks - The New York Times.” Lens, June 7, 2016.
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