Sixty years ago, just marching was considered an act of protest. Actually, in 1969, a group of young men burnt down 40 buildings in the town of Clinton South Carolina, after feeling that the pressure put on them by the Ku Klux Klan was too much to bear. That was their protest.
Thankfully, I have been able to grow up on the backs, sweat, and blood of those who made strides and steps in the direction that enabled me to do something other than pick cotton and chop sugar cane.
However, this life is not without its scars – there are still memories and vestiges of the toll – the struggle – had on a race of people still trying to find equality in this country. Recently, news of Black men and women being killed by some members of law enforcement has raised the consciousness of this country to see how black folks have been living. With the increase in social media platforms and the use of smart phones to both document and record everyday life, the United States and the World on a whole are seeing first hand the evidence of complaints that can be traced back to the death of Emmett Till.
In 2015, I walk around Brooklyn, South Carolina, Mississippi, Memphis, Manhattan, and Ferguson, photographing, recording and reading the tales of those whose living is a testimony to this ongoing struggle.
This Exhibition is my attempt to show a glimpse into what it means to live in ‘the struggle.’ From photographing everyday life in places like South Carolina, Memphis, and Mississippi, and documenting some of the tumultuous protests from the streets of Ferguson and New York City, I show you the faces of those whose lives are spent in protest.
Artist Bios
-
Ruddy Roye
Ruddy Roye is a Cleveland-based documentary photographer known for his coverage of race relations in America and the diaspora at large. He has over fifteen years of experience and specializes in editorial and environmental portraiture as well as photojournalism.
Organizations
-
United Photo Industries (UPI)
United Photo Industries (UPI) is a New York based nonprofit organization that works to promote a wider understanding of, and increased access to, the art of photography.
Since its founding in 2011, UPI has rapidly solidified its position in the public art landscape by continuing to showcase thought-provoking, challenging, and exceptional photography from across the globe. In its first seven years, UPI has presented the work of more than 2,500 visual artists in gallery exhibitions and public art installations worldwide.
When Living Is a Protest
Featuring: Ruddy Roye
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Explore other locations and exhibitions nearby
Related Events
Under Fire: Black Photographers Creating Agency in a “Post-Racial” America
This panel will convene Black photojournalists who have covered the recent resurgence in incidents of and outrage over racial discrimination nationwide.
Learn More
