"Tajon" Featured Photographer, Amir, Explains Why He Went to Baltimore to Support #BlackLivesMatter
Photo by Amir Price
We are incredibly honored to feature the work of Critical Exposure Fellow Amir Price in upcoming novel-in-stories, "The Day Tajon Got Shot." Here, Amir explains why he traveled to Baltimore in 2015 to document the aftermath of the tragic murder of Freddie Gray.
“I’ve always wanted to support the Black Lives Matter campaign, and it got to the point where Twitter and Facebook posts weren’t enough. My friend and I decided to drive up to Baltimore and document the events. We got to the scene and immediately people were telling us to be careful, watch our backs. We saw smoke and decided to follow it and we found protesters and police, and a burning CVS. We stayed for a few hours documenting the peaceful protests, the violent protests, and the incredible number of police in the area. We met a 9 year-old boy who couldn’t get home because he lived behind where the police line was. We witnessed protesters and police working together for the good of commonality. We witnessed men marching in suits, a pastor praying over the officers. We witnessed citizens of Baltimore begging the officers to leave. We witnessed dancing and singing, and protesters linking together to show support. We witnessed officers beating a man and pulling a gun on another. My friend was sprayed with pepper spray, and I was stabbed with a baton for taking a picture. What amazes me is that this is a complicated uprising – there were peaceful protesters who were the majority, and rioting protesters but only a few. There are peaceful police, once again the majority, and racist police, once again the minority, but what amazes me the most is how the media can portray the events. Many of the photos and videos from CNN, Fox 5, and other news organizations that came out the 4 days after my friend and I were there to witness the whole story, but the media only shows part of it. It is important that all sides of the story are covered, and that people know what is actually happening in Baltimore. That’s why I felt the need to drive to Baltimore, and that’s why I will continue to go back. The revolution will be televised. Not by the big media, but by citizens like you and I.”
We hope that you will join Amir, and the young women of Beacon House, on Tuesday, May 30, to celebrate the launch of "The Day Tajon Got Shot."