Joanne Wilson, one of the Thorntons’ daughters, is shown standing with her niece in front of a department store in downtown Mobile. The pair is impeccably dressed in light, summery frocks. The jarring neon of the “Colored Entrance” sign looming above them clashes with the two young women’s elegant appearance, transforming a casual afternoon outing into an example of overt discrimination. Notice the fallen strap of Wilson’s slip. Though this detail might appear discordant with the rest of the picture, its inclusion may have been strategic: it allowed Parks to emphasise the humanity of his subjects.
podo7599 on October 21st, 2024 at 00:42 UTC »
That picture makes me sad.
atx620 on October 21st, 2024 at 00:44 UTC »
When you're so devoted to being racist, you put it in neon...
Peter_Mansbrick on October 21st, 2024 at 00:55 UTC »
Larger image [3198x3198]
Photo by Gordon Parks https://artblart.com/tag/gordon-parks-segregation-story/