"Sisters of the Long March"

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Date:Not Recorded

Description:The Black woman in Black His[Her]story has been a prominent point of focus, from the female monarchs of African Kingdom’s, such as Queen Amina of Zaria, to the role of the matriarch in black families fractured by slavery. Her place in society has been a well fuelled point of discussion, as we consider her a space, to discuss the impact of both oppressive forces of sexism, and racism, seeing her as a crossroads, a place where the two met. Popular black historical rhetoric applauds the black woman as the backbone of her community, strong and adhesive through adversity despite the impact of the double prejudice, exemplified by her extraordinary predecessors; Sojourner Truth; Nanny of the Maroons; Mary Seacole; Winnie Mandela - at the side of the freed Nelson Mandela at his release; contemporary figures of wealth and power in Oprah Winfrey; as well as strong voices in post colonial black literature, the colossal Maya Angelou and the accomplished Ghanaian author, Ama Ata Aidoo. As the famous image of Winnie Mandela with a fist of victory in the air - alongside her newly freed husband - illustrates, the black woman has experienced, struggled, and won some victories against the forces of racially motivated oppression, shoulder to shoulder with the black man, while woman and mother. The recognition of this prominence is further exalted and articulated by Malcolm X, citing an African proverb; “educate a man, you educate one person… educate a woman, you educate and liberate a nation” (February 1965 Al-Muslimoon Magazine).

Through his work, Burke displays his thorough familiarity with the various lines of discourse surrounding the situation of African people and descendents of the Diaspora, all over the world. His work shows recognition of the popular and often stereotypical images of black people. Yet through his artistic timing in the capture of his shots; the angles and his cultural perspective, Burke manages to take the popular image and transform it dimensionally by capturing an intimacy and communicating the delicate blend of strength and subtlety found in the communities of Africans of the Diaspora, using moments to which most photographers lack access.

Burke captures the significance of the discourse on the strength and durability of the black woman, and celebrates this; while the intimacy of his camera lens reveals something of the familiar view of woman; as grandmother, mother, sister, daughter, wife or lover.

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Creators: Dr Vanley Burke - Creator

Donor ref:Birmingham City Archives MS 2192/C/E/1/3/1/1 (15/412)

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