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Malcolm X and Black Muslims
On View
Not on view
Object number2006.55

Malcolm X and Black Muslims

Artist (American, 1912-2006)
Date1963
Mediumgelatin silver print
Dimensionsimage (flush): 9 × 13 in. (22.9 × 33 cm)
mat: 16 × 20 in. (40.6 × 50.8 cm)
Credit LineElisabeth Claire Lahti Fund
Exhibition History"Embracing Diverse Voices: African-American Art in the Collection of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts," KIA Galleries 3&4(Oct. 3 - Nov. 29, 2009). "Light Works: Photographs from the Collection," KIA Long Gallery (Sept. 18 - Dec. 12, 2010). "Embracing Diverse Voices: 80 Years of African-American Art," KIA Traveling Exhibition, Bakersfield Museum of Art (Dec. 13, 2012 – Mar. 10, 2013). "Embracing Diverse Voices: 90 Years of African-American Art," KIA Traveling Exhibition, Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX (January 17 - March 20, 2016). "Embracing Diverse Voices: A Century of African-American Art," KIA Traveling Exhibition, North Carolina Central University Art Museum (October 7 - December 12, 2016). "Resilience: African American Artists as Agents of Change," at the KIA (September 14, 2019 - February 16, 2020) "Framing Moments: Photography from KIA's Permanent Collection," KIA (Feb. 6 - May 16, 2021) "Resilience: African American Artists as Agents of Change," [Travel Version] at the Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City, MI (June 6, 2021 - August, 15, 2021)Label TextI picked up a camera because it was my choice of weapons against what I hated most about the universe: racism, intolerance, poverty... —Gordon Parks Parks was a master of conveying the humanity of his subjects in a variety of activities, poignantly communicating the trials and triumphs of African American life throughout the duration of his career which spanned the mediums of photography, film, and literature. As the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum during the 1960s, Life Magazine sought access to Black Liberation and Black Muslim movement leaders. Early efforts by white reporters were rejected, until Gordon Parks—the only Black staff member of the magazine—gained entry. Parks’ initial contact was with Malcolm X, who introduced him to Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islam’s highest leader. Muhammad eventually agreed to the article, making Parks’ exposé on the Black Muslim community one of his most celebrated bodies of work. This image depicts Malcolm X at a rally in Harlem, New York at the height of his time as a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam. Parks manages to capture both the energy of the charismatic leader and the intense focus of the listening crowd. Displayed prominently behind the legendary man are advertisements for repatriation to Africa and signs listing the variety of African and non-white ethnicities in the world, most of which are notably men. Declaring the importance of Black manhood was a prominent theme of the Black Liberation and Black Muslim movements. [entered 3/10/22]