THIS IS BALTIMORE
PHOTOGRAPHY FROM WIDE ANGLE YOUTH MEDIA
THIS IS BALTIMORE
PHOTOGRAPHY FROM WIDE ANGLE YOUTH MEDIA
Copyright Š 2016, Wide Angle Youth Media, Baltimore, MD All rights reserved, including rights of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. 1st Edition, 2016 Published and distributed by Wide Angle Youth Media 2601 North Howard Street, Suite #160 Baltimore, MD 21218 Printed in the United States of America Funding for this project made possible by: Baltimore Community Foundation: Rebuilding Baltimore Fund Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts The Enoch Pratt Free Library Maryland Humanities Council Maryland State Arts Council Maryland Public Television MurthyNAYAK Foundation Open Society Institute-Baltimore Previous page: Photo by Tyson Sanford-Griffin
Introduction On April 28, 2015 – a day after Baltimore made headlines around the world for its collective response to the death of Freddie Gray – Wide Angle Youth Media students and staff were compelled to use their documentary skills to capture positive images of Baltimore youth. The result is this compilation of youth-produced photographs that show a city filled with hope, vitality and resilience. Over the past year, Wide Angle Youth Media collected photographs at spring protests and through workshops at schools, libraries and organizations in more than 15 neighborhoods. Founded in 2000, Wide Angle Youth Media is a nonprofit organization that provides Baltimore youth with media education to tell their stories and become engaged with their communities. Wide Angle envisions a more inclusive Baltimore that meets the social, emotional, academic and physical needs of its young residents, giving them a voice in decisions and institutions that affect their lives. To date, Wide Angle has supported more than 4,000 young people making a difference through media by providing quality after-school and summer programming, in-school opportunities, events and a traveling photography exhibition. Every year, these young people create hundreds of photography, design, radio and video projects to highlight issues that matter to them. To learn more, please visit www.wideanglemedia.org.
Lawrence by Julie Stovall Lauver 1
Photos by Tyson Sanford-Griffin
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Foreword Matthew Durington, Ph.D. Professor, Towson University The images that emerged in the news and on social media in the days after the death of Freddie Gray demonized Baltimore youth. When images of young Black protesters were broadcast and shared across the media spectrum in April 2015, it reaffirmed a narrative that has been told too often in our national media about urban unrest and the concomitant violence that can occur when emotions spill over into the streets. While some representations fed the urban stereotype machine, alternative media rose up to confront this flawed narrative. YouTube videos emerged of protesters challenging reporters about how they and Baltimore were represented: Why were reporters not talking about the larger structural and social issues so many in Baltimore face? Why not show protesters, politicians, police, clergy and youth working together to stem the tide of violence? Why not broadcast images of Baltimore youth that presented a more positive narrative? Why not show images of youth finding their political voice? (Marqueise, left) For the most part, the news perpetuated the easier narrative of the few who committed violence as the media moth was drawn to the literal flame of protest. But if one looked closely, another image of Baltimore and its residents began to emerge.
Marqueise by Jeffrey Obike 3
This image challenged the depictions of Baltimore and its youth. This image was one that Baltimore youth themselves produced to show what they saw in the protests. This image showed a united Baltimore. (photos by Tyson, page 2)
The images in this book tell a story as seen through the eyes of Baltimore’s youth. We are given the privilege to look into their worlds and see the dreams they have about their lives and their futures. (Jamaal, page 23)
Wide Angle Youth Media’s young people captured many of those images, which have become part of a legacy of media that give voice to Baltimore’s youth to represent themselves and their social worlds.
We are able to witness a tranquility that counters tension. We can view happiness that counters sadness. (Shanira, page 36) We see positivity that counters the all too often negative depiction of students by those who just don’t know. Young people know what is going on! Wide Angle’s youth producers are telling the media to think about how they represent Baltimore (Imani, page 63) and to think critically about the city’s young residents.
While the national media began to pack up and leave Baltimore, Wide Angle youth producers unpacked their cameras to document a different side of the city. For the past 16 years, Wide Angle has promoted education and awareness of social issues by harnessing the power of the vision of our youth. It is a simple premise and clear mission: put the cameras in the hands of our youth, listen to what they have to say, and open your eyes to see a world that they envision and a future that we must acknowledge. It is a vision of Baltimore’s young people moving up in the world, not falling prey to the stereotypes. (Makai, page 31)
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These should be the first images that come to mind when people want to represent this city. Wide Angle Youth Media provides the tools, and the youth of Baltimore provide the vision of our future. Open the book into their social world and see the world through their eyes. •
Photos by Ricardo Amparo (top and bottom right); Jeffrey Obike (bottom left)
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I hope Baltimore recognizes the importance of voices being heard from not just the rich, but the poor people. I hope the voices of the minority are heard and respected. Bobbi Sanford Maddox, age 16
Left: Photo by Tyson Sanford-Griffin Right: Emmanuel and Mikiah by Jeffrey Obike 6
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I am not a struggling youth. I create my future. I dream of the world being better. Damon Rogers, age 16
Left to right: James, Alexis, and Alice by Jeffrey Obike 9
Top: Penn North Community Photo Walk Bottom: Vacant Homes by Mason Alston Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 10
Marrisa Howard, age 17 On April 27, 2015, I realized Baltimore needed to step up! I was sitting in my room looking at my cell phone screen when I saw a post on Instagram warning the residents of the Gwynn Oak area to be careful because riots were moving into that neighborhood. Earlier that same day on my way home from school, I had to call someone to pick me up from the West Cold Spring Station because the Maryland Transit Authority shut down public transportation to Mondawmin Mall due to the intensifying protests. As I scrolled through my phone, I realized I couldn’t even feel safe in the comfort of my own home. I snapped out of my thoughts and joined my family downstairs to update them on what was going on. I started to make dinner to take my mind off of the chaos. The smell of shrimp filled the kitchen. Cooking with my mother takes me to a safe place because I love our bond and I know she’ll always look out for me. All of a sudden I heard voices outside chanting. I ran to the kitchen window to see what was going on and saw a group of young men coming up the street with baseball bats. I turned off the stove and kitchen lights and told my parents to turn off their lights as well. We all sat in my
parents’ bedroom for about 3 hours discussing how the youth were acting out because of their built up anger. As we were talking, we heard the smashing of car windows and car alarms. The news was also reporting teens down at Mondawmin looting and vandalizing the officers’ cars. Watching the news made me angry, it made my parents scared. Seeing all of the chaos sent my mind in all different directions. But my thoughts were interrupted by my phone, which kept ringing. Each time it was a new person: friends, relatives, teachers, trying to make sure I was okay. The teens of Baltimore have no voice. They have no place where they can be heard and feel like they matter. People never interview teenagers. So many opinions from adolescents are silenced by the media, the police, the government, and then we’re portrayed as restless, angry, and young. Teenagers have just as much to say as adults do, just as much as the government does. When we are forced to be silent we eventually act out because we aren’t given the chance to be civil about it. But I believe the youth can create a place or a program, with the help of the community, where they feel like they can be heard. •
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Serenity* by Zachary Guy Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 12
Mason* by Faith Goodwin Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 13
Niajea Randolph, age 17 I participated in the Speak Out! poetry competition organized by Dew More Baltimore in April, 2015.
“From pilgrims to police, they been corrupt, they’ll never get enough. Is it in our blood? Did the black man ever colonize off the dead and diseased? The PD supposed to help us keep the peace, but got my brothers and sisters laying 6 feet deep. This is genocide.”*
After the poetry competition was over and the rain stopped, I went to get something to eat. My friends Jordan and Shytiera went with me. We all looked on our phones and saw that the first protest for Freddie Gray was going to happen soon. As we walked into the building, we saw police officers at the door and the employees working very fast to get the orders done. They kept saying that they were closing early before “they” mess the place up. I was very confused. I was wondering who “they” were. But I realized “they” were the protesters. My friends and I didn’t think that the protesters were coming any time soon, so we weren’t as concerned.
*a selection from Niajea’s poem, “My Frustration” 14
The smell of my double cheeseburger and fries distracted me from thinking about the protesters coming and I was taking my lovely time walking down Pratt Street. I didn’t really know when the protesters were coming or where they were coming from so I was enjoying my sandwich while walking to the bus stop. As soon as my bus came, I looked at my phone. On Twitter, comments were saying that people were coming in between cars and I was guessing that they were the protesters. I was surprised by how close I was to the Freddie Gray protest and that I didn’t join in. I really wanted to, but I knew I couldn’t. I couldn’t stay because my phone battery was low, I was by myself, and I wouldn’t have anyone to come pick me up. I didn’t want to miss out. I wanted to let my voice be heard because I felt the need to express my anger. On the same day that I was expressing my anger in a more peaceful way, the whole city was doing it too. I felt as though the city was a big family that came together to find justice for an innocent individual. That made me feel like I’m not alone in wanting justice for Freddie, and all others. •
Top: Melia by Madison Mohan Enoch Pratt Free Library Herring Run Branch Bottom: Penn North Community Photo Walk Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 15
Portraits
Taleah by Amiyah Spraggins Barclay Elementary/Middle School 16
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Tykwan* by Zachary Guy Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 18
These photos are important because every picture tells many stories. Amera Cruz, age 14
Chance by Zachary Guy Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 19
Top: Star by Destiny Stansbury, Enoch Pratt Free Library Brooklyn Branch Bottom: Savannah by Sophia Milton, Enoch Pratt Free Library Pennsylvania Avenue Branch 20
Zahi by Makai Hawkins KIPP Ujima Village Academy 21
Jaylen by Alice Chen Barclay Elementary/Middle School 22
Clockwise from top left: Jamaal by Taleah Edwards; Kirsten by Kabrea Knight; Amiyah by Kaitlyn Pearson; Kaitlyn by Amiyah Spraggins, Barclay Elementary/Middle School 23
I am a confident person and able to face challenges in front of me. Alice Chen, age 11
Top: Ta’Nia by Darrein Ray Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake Bottom: Alice** by Crystal Borden Barclay Elementary/Middle School 24
Aijae by Dawnya Johnson The Intersection 25
Top, left to right: Dajone by Tonique Johnson, Career Academy; Yonas by Tesfalem Buluts, BCCC Refugee Youth Project; Breonna by Anthoney Corn, Career Academy Middle, left to right: Niara by Aijae Scott, The Intersection; Stormy by Aushaurd Wilson, Youth Empowered Society; Ifetayo by Dawnya Johnson, The Intersection Bottom, left to right: Tesfalem by BCCC Refugee Youth Project participant; Sade by Dajone Fox, Career Academy; Leon by Antoine Jefferson, Career Academy 26
I wish I could speak for those too afraid to speak for themselves. I dream of a better place for all races and sexes. Imani Morgan, age 17
Sergio by Nicki Carey Youth Empowered Society 27
Top: Dawnya by Ifetayo Kitwala The Intersection Bottom: Moni by Pampha Kadariya BCCC Refugee Youth Project 28
Ju’Nore by Zahi Habeebullah KIPP Ujima Village Academy 29
Makayla by Deonna Kiah KIPP Ujima Village Academy 30
I want people to think I am the future. Zahi Habeebullah, age 12
Makai by Deonte Stanley KIPP Ujima Village Academy 31
Top: Deonna by Klarke Monroe Bottom: Jeremiah by Qwaye Baker KIPP Ujima Village Academy 32
Top: Metaphorical Self-Portrait by Deonte Stanley Bottom: Deonte by Zahi Habeebullah KIPP Ujima Village Academy 33
Maliyah by Latrell Leverette New Song Academy 34
Taylor and Precious by Shanira Henson New Song Academy 35
Clockwise from top left: Shanira by Tonidra Hackett; Quentin by Maliyah Baldwin-Bey; Tonidra by Shanira Henson; Taylor by Precious Raheem New Song Academy
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I am proud that I get good grades. I dream of owning my own dance company. Maliyah Baldwin-Bey, age 13
Maliyah by Latrell Leverette New Song Academy 37
Basketball is something I do for fun. It clears my mind of worries and stress. Quentin Brown, age 12
Lenny by Latrell Leverette New Song Academy 38
We can defeat the stereotypes. We are more than drugs and violence. We can be lawyers and presidents. We are not an inferior race. Our dreams can be a reality. Jamurious Ray, age 13
Latrell by Lenny Johnson Jr. New Song Academy 39
Shaqille by Tamiya Judkins Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 40
I want my photo to show that I will never give up. Diana Nguyen, age 15
Chenille by Alaysia Ashburn Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 41
Top: Robert by Naje’ Tate Bottom: DeOntay by Jalen Witherspoon Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 42
Naje’ by Faith Curbeam Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 43
Jalen by Nikita Taft Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 44
Chenille by Alaysia Ashburn Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 45
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Kailah Hall, age 15 When people think of Baltimore, they think of violence and crime. But for me, Baltimore is art, history, seafood, and music. I am a trombone player in the Poly-Western High School marching band, and I’ve been playing for almost two years. On the morning of October 17, 2015, we marched in Morgan State University’s annual homecoming parade. We were the first band to arrive at the Alameda Shopping Center. The air was crisp and cold, and the sun was shining slightly from behind the clouds. People were already beginning to set up floats, and bus loads of bands were arriving by the second. We were competing with bands from all across Baltimore. We warmed up and got in our parade formation. As I waited for the parade to start, I saw Morgan’s band warming up. I really loved hearing them play. Their drums sounded like synchronized footsteps, their horn tones were unified in every way. I was instantly glad we weren’t competing against them.
As we went down the block, the crowd began to get larger. More and more people surrounded the streets. I kept running out of breath, because the cold air pierced my lungs.The parade was about 3 miles long, with the judge’s table waiting at the end for performers. There were about five of them watching from a platform that was set up in front of Morgan’s campus. As we performed for the judges, I felt a rush of confidence come over me as I marched higher, and played louder than I ever had before. Everyone did. My trombone was heard all the way up on the judge’s stage. I could hear the drums all the way from the front, sounding like fireworks, coming together to celebrate Baltimore. That day I was part of a larger community. I got to experience a different Baltimore that a lot of people don’t see. It was the Baltimore that wasn’t all over the news. The Baltimore that I knew from childhood. •
Left to right: Tamiya by Shaqille Mullings; Alaysia by Chenille King Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School 47
Lawrence by DaQuan Jackson-Grant Poppleton Community Development Corporation 48
Youth in Baltimore have voices and need a chance to use them. Kirsten Pearson, age 13
ˉ Dejahna by Dejah Banks Poppleton Community Development Corporation 49
Top: Taylor by Destiny Greenwood Bottom: DaQuan by Lawrence Green Poppleton Community Development Corporation 50
Damon by Amera Cruz Patterson High School 51
My hope for Baltimore is that we will make progress towards justice. Tahir Juba, age 17
Nicole by Jaylin Taylor Patterson High School 52
Top: Travon by Puspa Mishra Bottom: Kendric by Naizae Stansbury Patterson High School 53
Clockwise from top left: Naizae by Kendric Senior; Puspa by Travon Gladden; Jordan by Travon Gladden; Shane by Dasia Whitfield Patterson High School
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Melanie by Nicole Ekity Patterson High School 55
DeKeana by Nicole Robinson YO! Baltimore, Westside Youth Opportunity Center 56
Raymond by Imani Morgan Forest Park High School 57
Clockwise from top left: Maxine by Kenneth Greene, YO! Baltimore, Westside Youth Opportunity Center; Camille by Raymond Richardson, Forest Park High School; Ashley by Deshawn Jackson, YO! Baltimore, Westside Youth Opportunity Center; Kenneth by Maxine Manning, YO! Baltimore, Westside Youth Opportunity Center
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J’quar by El-Tonya Marable YO! Baltimore, Westside Youth Opportunity Center 59
I wish I could speak to my community. We can change the way people look at us. Qwaye Baker, age 14
Michael by Imani Morgan Forest Park High School 60
I create my own path. I dream of my future. Raymond Richardson, age 16
Imani by Raymond Richardson Forest Park High School 61
Michael by Raymond Richardson Forest Park High School 62
Imani by Raymond Richardson Forest Park High School 63
Epilogue Imani Morgan, age 17
I hope that this book has shined a little light on the youth of Baltimore. As most people have come to know, the media can twist, pick, and choose their coverage. We were broadcast around the country in a time of vulnerability, and that misrepresented us greatly. That’s why this book is important, and so are the workshops that helped create it. The book shows our everyday lives, not just the one the media chooses to show on TV. We have more to offer, not just in Baltimore, but everywhere. It’s hard being a teenager today because of the problems this city is having. Most of us realize that there isn’t much people are really doing to change that. Being a part of Wide Angle Youth Media has been a life-changing experience. Being behind the scenes and playing a major role in the creation of this book has been one of my best moments. All of the people of Baltimore deserve to be heard loud and clear. We can make a difference if given the chance. This book is here to show the world who we really are. WE ARE THE REAL YOUTH OF BALTIMORE.
Imani and Raymond Review Images Forest Park High School by Julie Stovall Lauver 64
When taking a photo I love seeing expressions on peoples’ faces, and how they use their body to tell how they feel. Chenille King, age13
Lawrence Photographs Taylor Poppleton Community Development Corporation by Julie Stovall Lauver 65
Behind the Scenes
My vision as an artist has changed forever. It was an experience I’ll never forget! Robert Nelson, age 12
Clockwise from top right: Danielle Clapperton Documents Protests by David Sloan; Intern Eboni Sellers Teaches New Song Academy Students by Julie Stovall Lauver; Students Writing Reflections by Julie Stovall Lauver 66
Clockwise from top left: Lawrence and Taylor in the Poppleton Community workshop; Eboni talks with students at Fallstaff by Julie Stovall Lauver; Phelicia during the Brooklyn library workshop by Star Wilson; Intern Arius Bevins works with students at New Song Academy by Julie Stovall Lauver
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Major Funding:
Additional Funding Provided By:
Project partners: Organizations Baltimore City Community College’s Refugee Youth Project Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Chesapeake Maryland Public Television and the American Graduate Initiative Poppleton Community Development Corporation The Intersection Y of Central Maryland YO! Baltimore, Westside Youth Opportunity Center Youth Empowered Society Baltimore City Public Schools Baltimore Career Academy Barclay Elementary/Middle School Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School Forest Park High School KIPP Ujima Village Academy New Song Academy Patterson High School
This distribution of this project was made possible by a grant from Maryland Humanities, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Maryland Humanities.
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The following Enoch Pratt Free Library Branches Brooklyn Hamilton Herring Run Pennsylvania Avenue Reisterstown Road
Wide Angle Youth Media Staff:
Wide Angle Youth Media Board Members:
Chaya Barrett, Photography Assistant Teacher Daria Baylis, Photography Assistant Teacher Arius Bevins, Photography Intern Moira Fratantuono, Program Manager Susan Malone, Executive Director Eboni Sellers, Photography Assistant Teacher David Sloan, Production Manager Becky Slogeris, Book Design Julie Stovall Lauver, Photography Coordinator Sheila Wells, Development and Communications Director
Gina Davis, President Andres Zapata, Vice President Aarati Doddanna, Secretary Jeffrey Gillis, Interim Treasurer Demetria Barrett Mia Fields Hall Pablo Jusem Suzanne Knizner Jason Loviglio Jeffrey Myers Thomas O’Hara
Youth Curatorial Team: Maliyah Baldwin-Bey Destiny Barnes Quentin Brown Taylor Fullwood Tonidra Hackett Shanira Henson Lenny Johnson, Jr. Latrell Leverette Imani Morgan Precious Raheem Niajea Randolph Jamurious Ray Raymond Richardson
*Murals depicted in these images were created in response to events surrounding Freddie Gray’s death. **The mural depicted in this image was created during a Mural Design workshop by Wide Angle Youth Media funded by the Gutierrez Memorial Fund.
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