National Memorial of Peace & Justice- Montgomery, AL
An excerpt from their website -
”Racial terror lynchings were violent and public acts of torture that traumatized Black people throughout the country. Tolerated and often aided by law enforcement and elected officials and designed to re-establish racial hierarchy after the Civil War, lynching was terrorism.
Racial terror lynching left thousands dead, significantly marginalized Black people politically, financially, and socially, and inflicted deep traumatic wounds on survivors, witnesses, and the entire African American community that fester to this day.
Publicly confronting the truth about our history is the first step towards recovery and reconciliation.”
On my way to photograph the Whitney Plantation, I stopped in Montgomery, AL, for the night. Before checking out of my hotel the next morning, I sought a location to photograph and discovered that the National Memorial for Peace & Justice was just a mile away.
I could not have anticipated the impact of discovering this memorial. Thoughtfully designed and presented with honesty and reverence, it stands as a powerful testament to the history it represents. I am highly encouraged to see memorials like this becoming part of the American landscape.
Although my time there was brief—just 90 minutes due to needing to get back on the road—it was a meaningful experience. The overcast morning light created a somber yet fitting atmosphere as I arrived just as the memorial opened. Without a tripod or much preparation, I worked with the tools I had, allowing the statues and architectural design to effectively tell their story.
While I wish I’d had the opportunity to incorporate people into some of the photos, even without them, the images convey the emotion and gravity of this memorial. It’s a place that leaves a lasting impression, and I’m grateful for the chance to have captured even a glimpse of its powerful narrative.
If you have a historical space that needs to be captured in an authentic way, drop me a line to schedule a Zoom meeting. I’d love to hear from you and learn more about it.
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