A Review of Leonard Freed’s “Black in White America”
Throughout time we have seen history repeat itself, and now more than ever, Leonard Freed’s “Black in White America” seems to be quite relevant.
Through his photo essay, Freed worked to examine the plight of African Americans in the United States. During this time he travelled through New York, Washington D.C, and all over regions of the South documenting the segregated and racially-entrenched society.
(Photograph taken from the International Center of Photography)
Leonard Freed
Freed was born in Brooklyn, New York and originally wanted to become a painter; however, after a trip to the Netherlands9 with his family, he learned of his passion for photography. In 1958, he moved to Amsterdam where he photographed the Jewish community, examining the German society and his own Jewish roots.
From 1961 onward, Freed worked as a freelance photographer and began traveling all over and started documenting blacks in America(1964-65), events in Israel (1967-68), the Yom Kippur War (1973), and the New York City police department (1972-79).
Ultimately photography is about who you are. It’s the seeking of truth in relation to yourself. And seeking truth becomes a habit.Leonard Freed
Freed joined Magnum in 1972. Through photography, Freed explored societal violence and racial discrimination.
Leonard Freed died in Garrison, New York, on November 30th, 2006.
(Photograph taken from Widewalls)
Black in White America
In 1962 Leonard Freed was in Berlin documenting the rise of the wall that would separate the city. While there, he saw an African American soldier and it hit him – at home in the United States, black people were fighting for their rights, while in Berlin, those same black people were willing to defend their country.
This anomaly inspired Freed to look deeper at the African Americans at home, in the United States. These photos taken through the mid-1960’s were then published in 1968 in “Black in White America”.
The detailed book is a collection of incredible photo-stories and telling captions that documents the struggle of African Americans in the mid-20th century. With Freed’s sensitive and informative tough, he is able to investigate the politics of the country and articulate the anxiety of an under-represented and discriminated people.
To purchase Leonard Freed’s “Black in White America”, visit the Magnum website here.
