Joshua Rashaad McFadden

View Original

Joshua Rashaad McFadden reflects on career, using photography as a tool for justice

My work was highlighted in an article by The Grio, which reflects on my career and the use of photography as a tool for justice. The article, published on September 17, 2020, emphasizes how my empathetic artwork captures the stories of Black America, particularly focusing on racial injustice and police brutality. Since the 2015 protests in Selma, Alabama, I have been on the frontlines with my camera, documenting pivotal moments in American history, including the funerals of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks for CNN and The New York Times.

The Grio article underscores my role as an assistant professor of photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, highlighting how I use my platform to share first-person perspectives of the frontlines in cities like Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Louisville. By capturing these moments and sharing the accounts of my photographic subjects, my work not only documents history but also brings attention to ongoing social justice issues. This approach ensures that the narratives of those affected by racial injustice are seen and heard, contributing to a broader understanding and dialogue.

The article provides a platform to reach a wider audience, emphasizing the significance of my photography in addressing and confronting racial injustice. This media attention reinforces the importance of my contributions to contemporary photography and social justice, highlighting the critical role that visual storytelling plays in documenting and advocating for change.