Black Images in Environmental Movement

Throughout my life I have become tired of the question, "How come there are no Black people at the park, at the beach, climbing rocks or hiking trails." I have been active in all these things, and those African Americans I have grown up with have as well. Yet, I have to agree that in books, movies or magazines, people who look like me, other African Americans are usually left out. The general invisibility of African American images in nature and stereotypes that surround categorized images is a factor leading to the perception that African Americans do not participate in preserving, conserving, or enjoying nature.

The goal of this project is twofold. First, I want to reveal the role of photographic representation in shaping perceptions of African American participation in the conservation and environmental movements. Second, I intend to show historic images of African Americans protecting, enjoying nature and fighting for environmental justice. Finally, I have started a campaign to encourage African American communities to continue to maintain our history with nature.

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Recent pictures

MLS project 2008

flume.jpg
flume.jpg 2003-09-19

Baptism.jpg
Baptism.jpg 2008-09-13

boat.jpg
boat.jpg 2008-09-13

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20080306environment01.jpg 2008-09-11

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2699803490_a9f9fe2362_o.jpg 2008-09-11

Treed Coon
Detroit Publishing Company 1892

Envy
Detroit Publishing Company

Bliss
Detroit Publishing Co., 6000 series publisher. 1898-1931.

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2262234862_16126b0909_b.jpg 2008-09-11

Conservation Corp
African-American enrollee, Co. 604, Peterson Prairie, August 1933. Original photo caption reads, "A native son of Chicago versus native son of Washington." USDA Forest Service photo.

5men.jpg
5men.jpg 2008-09-11

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2239842670_8faa6ca3c7_o.jpg 2008-02-03

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2277685731_ff595d0fc9_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2267452867_b039be2843_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2301804161_7a7de794d7_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2394454322_1615243e0e_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2404145133_b0870070bf_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2512928620_320855f8cd_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2659131109_5167412374_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2679452517_d51eef26d2_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2731451783_7b73a6d471_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2737950831_57f1f0e140_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2737952309_c89dec1697_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2737955113_4573258987_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2737957539_90998b264a_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2738787210_cca0666091_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2759325535_e5fc25d7b0_o.jpg 2008-09-11

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2738788904_08b32f9f2a_o.jpg 2008-09-11

Campers at Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

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AP420905024.jpg 2008-09-11

boothe33.jpg
The encyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama their leaders and their work. (published 1895)

Negro farmers at soil conservation meeting at Vernon, Oklahoma.
The encyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama their leaders and their work. (published 1895)

Potato Creek
Northern Indiana Center for History

Crossing the river on horseback in the night.
From The underground railroad : a record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, etc. (Philadelphia : Porter, 1872) C.

Picking Tomatoes
Northern Indiana Center for History

Black Images in Environmental Movement - jfmls

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