Hero. In mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. In modern times, A person noted for special achievement in a particular field. (The American Heritage Dictionary) (See also, Gordon Parks.)
The impact we have on the lives of others is simply amazing. All the more so when lives are changed for the better unbeknownst to us. Though I've met him on several occasions, Gordon Parks had no idea the degree to which his work broadened my perspective, enlarged my ambitions and as a result, helped shape my approach to life's opportunities and challenges. By courageously charting an ambitious course for his own life, daring to accomplish greatness in his chosen fields of endeavor, he instilled a spirit of possibilities. By his example, I continue to be inspired to dream impossible dreams and reach for them as if they are the most natural of aspirations.
Parks' fashion photography amazingly transported me beyond the bigotry and parochial attitudes still pervasive in early '70s American culture. In this body of work, the near taboo relationship between Black photographer and beautiful white European women was rightly ignored as one remained captivated by the artistry displayed in capturing the glamour of couture. His photojournalistic work documented highs and lows of African American society. Gritty black and white images silently screamed to the world - there exists a people ignored and unheralded whose experience and fate cannot be separated from that of America itself. Even without narrative, the emotion conveyed in his pictures moved viewers to debate and to action.
In his documentary series on Harlem and again on Flavio da Silva, Parks revealed to us youngsters how to utilize craft for combined dramatic and social impact. Quite honestly, his chronicles of the African American experience should have been expected of one with his heritage, acquired stature and abilities. However, even as a young man, I marveled at his audacity in taking up the cause of a poor South American boy and his family. While subject matter was often dictated by the business of his profession, Parks leveraged his medium like no other. If a picture is worth a thousand words, he used his documentary work to speak volumes about the human condition at home and abroad.
Role model. A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another to emulate. (ibid.)
While my dad, a painter and photographer in his own right, introduced me to the joys of photography, Parks' images exposed me to worlds well beyond my childhood geographic and cultural confines. Raised alternately in suburban Chicago and rural Louisiana, I often took refuge in the "other worldly" images captured by Parks.
During my pre-teen years, I read A Choice of Weapons and The Learning Tree and found my imagination stoked and courage to pursue the impossible fortified. His popular success achieved directing Shaft was anti-climatic for me as it was his personal narrative and the power of his captured images that moved me to conceive of a world measured by talent, and not by race. The breadth of his oeuvre and consistently demonstrated technical proficiency motivated me to pursue mastery of my skill set, an evaluative metric far exceeding scholastic requirements.
I watched in awe and admiration as this man dedicated himself to his craft, honed his skills and engaged in tenacious pursuit of accomplishment in fields where before him, few men of color succeeded. This independence of thought, vision and daring, exemplified during a particularly dark period of America's history, clearly separates Gordon Parks from many modern day "role models".
Whether lauded as artist for his many and varied creative accomplishments or as role model for succeeding against the odds, it is fitting we all pay tribute to a life well-lived.
Rest in peace Mr. Parks.
Darwin F.
Brown
Editor
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