Existing comment:
What is a "black list"? The dictionary defines it as "a list of persons who are disapproved of or are to be punished or boycotted." But imagine if the black list were a roll call of distinction rather than of disenfranchisement? What if being on the black list was a point of pride rather than dread? What if the black list could shed its negative connotation to become a term of affirmation and empowerment like black pride, black power, or black is beautiful?
These are some of the questions that prompted photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (born 1952) to embark on a portrait project to create an entirely new kind of black list -- a visual "who's who" of African American men and women whose intelligence, talent, and determination have propelled them to prominence in disciplines as diverse as religion, performing arts, medicine, sports, art, literature, and politics.
Although these individuals have traveled different paths to success, all share a deep-seated activism that has carried them over daunting obstacles and continues to be a driving force in their lives. If the new black list represents a chronicle of African American achievement, the fifty men and women pictured here surely merit inclusion on its rolls.
Artist's Statement:
On February 24, 2005, Toni Morrison was having lunch in my East Village kitchen. The conversation turned to "divas," as Toni described the extraordinarily talented performers she had auditioned for her opera, Margaret Garner. "Timothy, we should do a portrait book on these women. "Call it . . . Black Divas."
It got me thinking about all the African Americans I knew and had photographed. I made a list: Toni of course, David Hammons, Bill T. Jones, and Colin Powell quickly came to mind.
Eventually, I envisioned a more broad-based project than opera stars and called my friend Elvis Mitchell for a lunch. By dessert we had 175 names on napkins, and the idea had morphed into a book, film, and portrait exhibition. "Let's call it 'The Black List,'" Elvis said. "We need to make it a good thing to be on 'The Black List.'"
I knew that the trick was to get a few great names onboard, and then others would follow. I called Toni Morrison and Thelma Golden. They both said yes, and we were on our way.
Thousands of people belong in The Black List Project. Sometimes our deadline and the subject's availability were impossible to coordinate. Yes, "so and so" belongs in here. We agree!
-- Timothy Greenfield-Sanders |