For The Love Of A Black Man is an ongoing project focused on the celebration of the black male. The Photographs in this project serve to portray an intimacy and sensitivity that can exists between two black men. The Viewer is forced to view the black body through the perspective of another black man. I was interested in the way media has portrayed the black male through a white perspective, often consisting of violence or the dissociation of the man from his genitals.
The project consist of Penis Out Of Focus, which ask the viewer, when given the opportunity to gaze at the black male, what is it that you choose to focus on. Black Orchid, which points out the correlation between the process of an orchid opening to reveal itself and the process of anal sex. The image serves as a celebration to the act of receiving and the power that one can withhold after coming to terms with your own pleasures while outgrowing the expectations of what society deems as masculine. Lilac Heart is an invitation to the viewer into the warm, loving, and comforting gaze of the subject.
The Project also consists of the series My Nigga, My Saint. In 2019 I was accused of stealing a cellphone from a white female donut shop worker. After being cornered and having my pockets searched I was reminded of all of the black men that found themselves in similar predicaments, being falsely accused; The Scottsboro Boys, Emmett Till, Mack Charles Parker, most of which lead to the death of these men. A thought came to mind about the way we are taught to react to the black male and what it would be like if imagery were created not asking for respect and acceptance, but demanding it by being portrayed as religious saints. What would society think of gay black men if we were taught that these men were just as worthy as the biblical figures that some grow up praying to? For The Love Of A Black Man exists to showcase the diversity that exists within the black gay American community and to create a space for black men to see themselves praised wholly. No matter where in life you may find yourself, know that you are loved.
