Black Mothers Act Out What Might Be The Future Of Their Sons In The US (28 Pics)
Artist Jon Henry started working on his photography series Stranger Fruit back in 2014. What began as a protest against senseless police killings of black people ended up being a lot of other things, too. Most notably, it's an introspective mirror that allows viewers to examine their own take on the subject.
The people we see in the photos are real mothers, posing in their own environment with their actual sons, reenacting what it must feel like to lose them. The mothers are isolated. Alone. Empty. When the trials are over and the protesters have gone home, when the news cameras are gone and nobody is around anymore, the mother remains on the site forever. There's no peace of mind; the scene will always haunt her.
These mothers understand that this could happen to their family at any moment.
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Untitled #44, Crenshaw Blvd, Ca
this is why we say black lives matter because people need reminding that POC are humans too.
Who the f**k needs a reminder? White ppl? Which dont live in the black neighborhoods where blacks kill one another. If black culture was better you wouldnt be pulling this s**t
Load More Replies...Give me a break. I grew up with black people. We slept in each other's homes on the weekend. We played together. We eat together and we loved each other. So, don't give me this crap.
Every living thing matters. Dogs lives, black lives, white lives, rainbow lives, EVERY human (or animal) matters.
There are a range of reasons, different ones for different people.
Load More Replies...What’s your point, Rachel? White on white crime is also far more prolific than killings by police. So what’s your point?
Load More Replies...This touched me so deeply. I am white with a black son that was shot and im crying as I write this but they're also tears of joy because not only did he survive he just a baby 6 months ago. I dont know what I wouldve done if he didn't survive. Please kiss and love on your sons because you might not get the chance to later.
No mother or father wants to feel the pain of losing a life especially a pain that would involve a life taken by a guardian. #BLACKLIVEMATTERS . It is said to ask the world to care about each other. There is no excuse in not caring and doing for humanity. The question I would ask myself now is why did I give birth so that the life I love ...hard to go any further...
I will never understand, racist people seem to hate, for no reason, but for the police, taken the life of a black person, they are full of hate, for no reason, they should read some history, learn truth of black lives, did they choose to be slaves, they have suffered and died, too long, it's time for understanding, and change, walk a mile in their shoes, if only !!!
Just a suggestion. In stead of wasting your time manipulating the narrative, why not teach the children you claim to love so much, how to assimilate into civilized society? Teach them to act like respectful gentleman, not fools. Teach them to accept the responsibilities of an adult. Teach them to take accountability for their actions. Teach them to speak the Queen’s English. This would go a long way to keeping them out of harms way. Or... learn nothing & go on blaming everyone else for your own shortcomings.
From a rural area in North Minneapolis to a street corner in Jersey City, Henry has visited a lot of places for the series. "I chose these locations because I could find subjects there," the photographer told Bored Panda. "The locations are where the families live and work. I'm looking for areas that describe the city and/or state from a geographical and architectural point of view."
Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry
While, I believe Michelangelo's Pietà played a big part in the overall inspiration for these series, this one is aesthetically similar too. And I like that. It surely does evoke many questions.
I liked the idea of using art to explain history and social concerns. Great direction.
Load More Replies...just let it out uncle trumper just let it out
Load More Replies...Even though these shots are staged, they radiate authenticity. "The families choose whatever they are comfortable with wearing, so that helps the natural feel," Henry explained. "The comfort level with the family also helps the feel of the images. These aren't actors, they are family that [really] consider these issues."
Untitled #35, North Minneapolis, Mn
Anyone who kills a child that young has me coming to do the same thing to them in the night.
Load More Replies...The cold snow adds even deeper dimension to this mother’s loss.
A child was killed playing in park by legal guardians. A pox on those who do not understand the pain a mother and father had went through after finding out how their love child died.
There is no way, I can't imagine losing a child, especially from violence, and the thought, of a police officer, killing my child, the police are trained, shoot to kill, and to know, a teenager, killed by police for a minor crime, in many cases, they could shoot their leg, stop them without killing them !!!
To clarify, it’s already snowed this year in Minneapolis.
Load More Replies...The photographer wanted the mothers to pose deadpan to appeal more directly to the viewer. And they do. They look directly in our eyes, as if asking, how do we feel and what are we going to do about this. "The viewer can make their own decision on how to respond to the images," Henry concluded.
Untitled #42, Central Los Angeles, Ca
Oh Lord!! I hurt just knowing that this is HOW it REALLY is. I can never say (as a white mother) that I understand your pain, but I know I'll do everything with my white privilege to help make changes so this doesn't continue to be the narrative.
I am glad not living in US. My son is biracial and we live in Serbia. Here he has a treatment as a movie star. Twice police stopped him in night and he did no have ID, they let him go wih smile asking if he plays basketball.
Untitled #5 Parkchester, NY
This is heartbreaking...no mother should have to fear for child's life based on solely the colour of their skin.
or what their gender is or what genders they like
Load More Replies...Gun violence, illness, substance abuse... so many things threaten the lives of POC.
I imagine this mother, she wonders when her baby, becomes a teenager, will she lose him !!!
and so is white on white crime and asian on asian crime, so what? does that make the murders of unarmed black people by the people who swore to protect us okay?
Load More Replies...What's too much? How heart breaking you should feel about these poor boys?
Load More Replies...Untitled #33, Jersey City, Nj
This is so sad. No mother should have to fear for her son's life because fo their skin.
Wtf @WildBerry u racist jerk
Load More Replies...They live a life in fear, for their entire life, I am unable to recall, the number of years, it all began in slavery, the ones who began slavery, have fried in hell !!!
you mean the mothers of all the people who almost died at your peaceful little rally
That’s very stereotyped. Why do the blacks have to keep being viewed as a threat and murdered?
Load More Replies...“Untitled 48, Inglewood, Ca”
I think I know this woman, she was the crisis specialist at the Special Ed section of my old middle school. Either this is her or she's got a doppelganger, holy s**t
Little warriors, mom warriors, while father warriors are away at war
Untitled #19 Magnificent Mile, Il
Reminds me of Michelangelo's Pieta in the Vatican. http://www.italianrenaissance.org/michelangelos-pieta/
I saw elsewhere that was the photographer's intention. I find it very powerful.
Load More Replies...Leah you suck, this is a real feeling of fear, and you clearly can't do math. Step away from your white woman's privilege and examine the idea a little longer and with less hate in your heart.
It seems judgements,fear,lack of empathy & understanding are always rearing their ugly heads. Can not the creativity and raw beauty in these photographs speak the loudest!? Reminded of the example of forest through the trees. 🌈
But if parents parented their sons, gave boundaries and made sure they finished their education so that the son's could enter mainstream America......
Black lives matter I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that is both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head on this topic. Thanks.
But for the grace of God, this mother, could be white, could be one of us, all white people, should think this way, to feel their loss, and count their Blessings !!!
you know here sthe diffrence betwween us and them ( i mea normal smart human being and racist trump assholes)when they s**t on democracy we have pointed arguments that ring we have the f*****g data and we show them and then when we say that to them they have no ture response just whisper to themselves they are still right but of course this all liberal propaganda so its fine i cant with them someone should have a job to go in all these and just make uncultured burnt toast of these racists if you got it from that post you got it lol
Untitled #25 Montgomery, Al
He could have grown up to be your mailman, my professor, our President. . .
Black lives matter, White lives matter, AND blue lives matter. We ALL matter not just one, not just two but Every single person no matter skin, or job we all matter
Think when a mother holds her baby son, she wonders, how many years, will she have him ???
One of the most segregated states AND it's got a racism issue. And that woman and her children aren't going a n y w h e r e. They never do.
Untitled #55 Little Rock, Ar
A school where young black people fought for the right to just go to school.
Load More Replies...I’m from here. We used to be a center of driveby shootings. Still too much violence.
Too many teens, of any race, get involved with drugs, it is a huge part of crime, and death !!!
Untitled #17 South Side Chicago, Il
I'm just imagining the people who just don't care and it makes me SMAD!!
I grew up on the Southside of Chicago❤️ I loved it and my friends and neighbors were black and white....
back of the yards, 69-81. LOVED it, but then it became horrid due to gang violence. before that we had every race, religion ect there. I learned a few words in about 8 different languages.
Load More Replies...This little boy, didn't have a chance to grow up, the mother's heart will never mend, I know mine would not !!!
These photos of children are the end of hope. So distressing.
Jon Henry, “Untitled 39, Santa Monica, Ca”
I don’t know what I thought the pics were going to be, but not the exact same thing in each one.
The people in the background seem to have their backs turned to what's happening. If this was real, the turned backs would then smack of indifference.
There wouldn't be any people in the background if this was real because they all would have run for cover when the bullets started.
Load More Replies...Untitled 53, North Little Rock, Ar
I have cried over every one of these pictures. people treasure and love each other.
As long as I live, I will never understand, hate and racism !!!
Untitled 56, Houston Tx
A father lost, a family left, to pickup the pieces, and try to survive what was the reason ???
You can’t ever get over it. Those two little brothers and sister(?)—such a steep hill ahead. And mom has to deal with it all.
“Untitled 45, Oakland, Ca”
It’s not a demonstration.. it’s real life for us. And it makes sense for one who doesn’t have to fear for his/her life.. when your skin color isn’t being haunted.
god stopupvoteing micheal scotthe said some really messed up stuff
Untitled #13 Groveland Park, Il
Untitled 51, New Orleans, La
Perhaps, a street fight , a stray bullet to the life of s young BOY !!!
😂😂😂 stay safe.. how might one stay safe when your blackness is being hunted?
Untitled #3 Harlem, NY
The love is so apparent--and the representational agony. So well done.
I'm not sure you understand the point of these photos.
Load More Replies...Untitled #1 Co-Op City, NY
Unfortunately and sadly enough some loose more than one child to gun violence :(
As we’ve seen all too often, police officers don’t need guns to kill black boys and men.
Load More Replies...Just because one cop wasnt thinking before he shot that doesnt mean every police man or woman is bad, Think of how many times police have saved people from crime and getting killed
Load More Replies...Untitled #29, North Miami, Fl
Untitled #24 Birmingham, Al
Love is so important. We need to prove our love by making sure all guardians carry the same line of thought while doing their service of us all.
Loved the fall setting and leaves—imagine a driveby while he was raking leaves. . .
I know exactly where this is, it isn't far from my house. Less than an hour
Hopefully this same energy in the comments.. for wanting a better America for blacks people.. is the same energy who votes the dickwad out who’s inciting this violence
Trump never incited violence against black people and white people aren't systematically killing black people.
Load More Replies...Untitled 46, San Francisco, Ca
I can picture him in jogging suit and shoes—he’d just been out jogging. . .
Love does not die. Love can be lost when one does not have the heart to move forward toward a perfect universe.
This woman is so young...his sister maybe? Maybe he doesn't even have his mother any more. Whatever the story, this shouldn't happen
Stranger Fruit By Jon Henry
this is not true don,t worry those young men will be doctors readers writers mangers .....
not trying to offend anyone but why are they shirtless
Load More Replies...Untitled #21, Berwyn, Il
Sad comment made by a Suki Chan. Many people of the AAPL should find shame in statements made by this person. Yes, let all of us call out evil. Silence kills and keep evil moments of hate alive. Done. I see the pain- I know the pain and sorrowful because of these pains...
Untitled 50, West Orange Nj
Untitled #31, Wynwood, Fl
and people doing this is making it negative and divided.
Load More Replies...The problem is human on human crime. If, one is not able to see the pain from a imperfect human -then one may be the cause of the pain.
These may be illustrations, but they are illustrations of true life and death for the black community on a daily basis. Will it ever change...It has always been this way and will continue to be this way😢
Untitled #9 Newburgh, NY
It doesn't matter how old they are, they are still someones sons, they are still loved very much. This whole post page is very through provoking.
For goodness sake Levi!!! These people are acting out what might happen to their childeren!
Load More Replies...Untitled #11 Buffalo, NY
Makes you think about how many black mothers have been that road for real. And that the possibility of this happening is very real to the people who posed.
I am the proud mom of a black son and it hurts me to see this. I'm constantly scared for my child. I have to now teach him how to act in front of police or white people in general. No sudden movements, yes sir- no sir only, don't show anger, and the list of don'ts go on and on. It's completely overwhelming and beyond sad. My child didn't choose to be born a black male, God chose him and that makes him perfect.
I experienced too many times in finding a love one or a child from a neighbor whose child was found on the side of the road or in an abandon building...yes overwhelming...
This is heart wrenching. I am not black, but I am a mother, and cannot fathom losing my son. But to lose them to this everyday violence is beyond comprehension.
Why no one fears for the daughters? They are also more likely to get arrested than white girls.
Load More Replies...Since someone will probably say this is tacky, tasteless... See Michelangelo's famous PIeta. Every mother's sorrow over a dead son. That was the artist's point. The humanity. And that's the point of these photos.
Spot on. Pietà was amongst the first things that came to my mind too. And this series is using art and religious motifs in a very clever way, to make sure we understand it's more than politics - it's a matter of empathy for the fellow human being. It brings out so many points and questions.
Load More Replies...It is a shame that so many men (white and black) are being killed on a daily basis not by police but other men. I know this will get down voted because white liberals do NOT really want to raise a single damn finger to stop the 6000 murders of blacks every year. They want to keep us in chains. Keep us dependent on DC millionaires. People will destroy a city because of the 20 + killings by the police. Crickets when it is just another brother shot any other time. Tell me I'm wrong. There will be reckoning for you folks that politicize everything and only promote your agenda. You sacrifice a brother for your politics. You would take out the police know damn well that just gets another brother killed.
I am always so shocked when others can't see the value in another life. Just because they don't look like you, doesn't mean they are less than you. They have dreams like you. Why not fight for them too? Black lives matter. Stand with them.
Thank you so much. All of the hateful responses I have seen today have almost brought me to tears, but your response gives me hope.
Load More Replies...This circus they play keeps getting more pathetic maybe stop shooting people then police won't arrest you
I am a white mother with a black son who was shot in Seattle and this touched me so deeply im crying but they're thankful tears of joy because my son survived and is thriving and just had his first baby 6 months ago. Please don't ever take this time we have for granted and love on your son today if you can because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone.
Initially it seems a bit over the top for mother's that haven't lost their sons, but then again this is the very real fear these mother's live with.
I don’t know that these mothers *haven’t* lost other sons.
Load More Replies...I am a black female. I have been racially abused in JUNIOR HIGH. JUNIOR HIGH. Nobody did ANYTHING and I was stuck being tormented through that school until I moved. It is not only sons that have to be scared. It is black daughters as well. I am adopted, and my adoptive parents are white, and my birthmom is black. NOBODY WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF LOSING A DAUGHTER OR A SON. Stop racial viloence now... or face the prece. Protest after protest after protest.Be lucky you don't have to feel FEAR pulsing through your veins every time you set a foot out of YOUR DOOR. Be lucky. Were scared. Edit: I just needed to rant afer seeing this. I did not mean to attack anybody or anything.
Listen. I was born in a hellhole where my cousin was assasinated in front of his family and kids for political reasons. Hearing about you truly privileged people whining about verbal slights and abuse, and something that has less than 0.01% of happening unless you resist arrest, is pathetic. This is for everyone, not only directed to you, but stop being a crying victim and do something constructive for once in your lives.
Load More Replies...Some free advice to appreciate these photos more. Take it or leave it. Rather than just scrolling quickly through each picture, take a few moments to pause for each picture. For each one, gaze somewhat in their eyes, how they seem to be looking at the person behind the screen.
This is heart wrenching. I am not black, but I am a mother, and cannot fathom losing my son. But to lose them to this everyday violence is beyond comprehension.
Why no one fears for the daughters? They are also more likely to get arrested than white girls.
Load More Replies...Since someone will probably say this is tacky, tasteless... See Michelangelo's famous PIeta. Every mother's sorrow over a dead son. That was the artist's point. The humanity. And that's the point of these photos.
Spot on. Pietà was amongst the first things that came to my mind too. And this series is using art and religious motifs in a very clever way, to make sure we understand it's more than politics - it's a matter of empathy for the fellow human being. It brings out so many points and questions.
Load More Replies...It is a shame that so many men (white and black) are being killed on a daily basis not by police but other men. I know this will get down voted because white liberals do NOT really want to raise a single damn finger to stop the 6000 murders of blacks every year. They want to keep us in chains. Keep us dependent on DC millionaires. People will destroy a city because of the 20 + killings by the police. Crickets when it is just another brother shot any other time. Tell me I'm wrong. There will be reckoning for you folks that politicize everything and only promote your agenda. You sacrifice a brother for your politics. You would take out the police know damn well that just gets another brother killed.
I am always so shocked when others can't see the value in another life. Just because they don't look like you, doesn't mean they are less than you. They have dreams like you. Why not fight for them too? Black lives matter. Stand with them.
Thank you so much. All of the hateful responses I have seen today have almost brought me to tears, but your response gives me hope.
Load More Replies...This circus they play keeps getting more pathetic maybe stop shooting people then police won't arrest you
I am a white mother with a black son who was shot in Seattle and this touched me so deeply im crying but they're thankful tears of joy because my son survived and is thriving and just had his first baby 6 months ago. Please don't ever take this time we have for granted and love on your son today if you can because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone.
Initially it seems a bit over the top for mother's that haven't lost their sons, but then again this is the very real fear these mother's live with.
I don’t know that these mothers *haven’t* lost other sons.
Load More Replies...I am a black female. I have been racially abused in JUNIOR HIGH. JUNIOR HIGH. Nobody did ANYTHING and I was stuck being tormented through that school until I moved. It is not only sons that have to be scared. It is black daughters as well. I am adopted, and my adoptive parents are white, and my birthmom is black. NOBODY WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF LOSING A DAUGHTER OR A SON. Stop racial viloence now... or face the prece. Protest after protest after protest.Be lucky you don't have to feel FEAR pulsing through your veins every time you set a foot out of YOUR DOOR. Be lucky. Were scared. Edit: I just needed to rant afer seeing this. I did not mean to attack anybody or anything.
Listen. I was born in a hellhole where my cousin was assasinated in front of his family and kids for political reasons. Hearing about you truly privileged people whining about verbal slights and abuse, and something that has less than 0.01% of happening unless you resist arrest, is pathetic. This is for everyone, not only directed to you, but stop being a crying victim and do something constructive for once in your lives.
Load More Replies...Some free advice to appreciate these photos more. Take it or leave it. Rather than just scrolling quickly through each picture, take a few moments to pause for each picture. For each one, gaze somewhat in their eyes, how they seem to be looking at the person behind the screen.
