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“I Have a Dream: From King to Obama” Photo Exhibit Speaks to Brazilians
São Paulo, December 1, 2009 -- In a stunning exhibit of photos of the Civil Rights Movement through the campaign of Barack Obama, the US Consulate Sao Paulo partnered with the Afro-Brazil Museum to merge the dreams and aspirations of the Afro-American generation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with those of Barack Obama and all Americans. PAO TJ Dowling joined museum director Emanoel Araujo in opening the exhibit on Friday, November 20 to commemorate Brazil’s Black Awareness Day. In his remarks, the PAO alluded to the difficulties overcome and the successes won by black Americans over the last 60 years, which fulfilled the promise of the US Constitution to “form a more perfect Union.” In celebrating this progress made by African Americans, the photographic exhibit resonated with Brazil’s current efforts to fully integrate its minorities. The program included performances by two Afro-Brazilian dance troupes from Salvador, a film installation of historical news footage of the US Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King, and Barack Obama’s campaign and election, for which PA São Paulo also provided material, and a reception for 700 guests. Seven African American photographers from the Exposure Group, whose photos are part of the exhibit, and the publisher of Port of Harlem Magazine came to Brazil for the exhibit opening.
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Photographers from Exposure Group pose with Afro Brazil Museum Director Emanoel Araújo |
São Paulo Mayor Gilberto Kassab, Secretary of Culture João Sayad, Public Affairs Director T.J. Dowling, Afro Brazil Museum Director Emanoel Araujo and U.S. photographers |
Director T.J. Dowling addresses audience at exhibit opening |
The exhibit is the result of a partnership with São Paulo Public Affairs Section, the Exposure Group, an African American photographers association, and the Afro Brazil Museum, a unique institution in Brazil that is dedicated to preserving and presenting the rich Afro-Brazilian culture to over 30,000 visitors each month. The exhibit was curated by the artistic director of the museum, Emanoel Araujo, and Donna Wells, former Prints and Photography librarian and historian from Howard University, who unexpectedly passed away two weeks before the opening. She was honored at the opening for her dedication and passion to this exhibit and to representing the contributions of African American artists in the arts.
The U.S. Consulate São Paulo organized the visit of seven photographers from the Exposure Group for an entire week of events and workshops with several universities and social programs. On Nov. 18, the group gave presentations to students at SENAC’s school of photography, and visited Meninos do Morumbi (Children of Morumbi), a social project that uses music and dance to provide training to at risk youth in Sao Paulo, where they had the opportunity to participate in a lively dance performance with the children . They also attended the opening of “Africa in Us”, a photo exhibit by Brazilian amateur photographers that illustrates the impact of African culture in Brazilian society today, and met many of the young artists whose work was on display at the museum. On November 19, they participated in a professional seminar with Afro-Brazilian photographers at the Afro Brazil Museum where they were able to share their personal and professional experiences, comparing the challenges they faced in each country.
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| 1) U.S photographers pose with Senac photography students 2) Photography student interacts with photographers Beatrice Mc Bride and Michelle Chin 3) U.S. photographers pose with members of NGO Meninos do Morumbi 4) Publisher Wayne Young plays with Meninos do Morumbi director, Flavio Pimenta |
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As part of the activities to celebrate Black Awareness Day, Museu Afro Brasil and the US Consulate organized on Nov. 23-25 a three-day seminar on “ Inclusion and Exclusion of Blacks in the U.S. – a comparative view, with the participation of several respected Afro Brazilian speakers who presented their views on differences and similarities between the United States and Brazil in such areas as justice, public policy, education and culture. Anthropology and African Studies Prof. Sheila Walker from the University of Texas and US Consulate Political Officer David Brooks also spoke at seminar on US African heritage and the life and election of President Obama, respectively. The seminar attracted over three hundred people who for three days actively participated in the discussions, which followed each presentation.
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| U.S. photographer Donnamaria tries out Brazilian dance with member of Meninos do Morumbi |
U.S. photographer attends exhibit opening "África in Us" at Museu Afro Brazil |
Partial view of exhibit "I Have a Dream: From King to Obama" (Photos: U.S. Consulate/Najla Kubrusly) |
The Information Resource Center (IRC) within the consulate public affairs section compiled and distributed to seminar participants a detailed web bibliography CD, complete with excellent essays, articles and general information on the US Civil Rights Movement and President Obama’s life, campaign and election. This information was greatly appreciated by seminar organizers and participants as it provided easy access to a wealth of important resources. The IRC is dedicated to providing information on the United States and is an invaluable asset to both the consulate and the community.
This cultural exchange, film installation, seminar and the exhibit illustrate the progress the U.S. has made in racial equality. It brings the U.S. experience of dealing with the question of race to a Brazilian society that is examining the role of race in social and economic opportunities and delivers a powerful message that change is possible, even in a relatively short period of time.
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