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Gordon Parks Captured Blacks' Struggles, Successes

By Akeyla Brown
Black College Wire

Photo credit: Howard University Gordon Parks is hooded by Trustee Elizabeth Early as he receives an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Howard University in 1998.

Renowned pioneer Gordon Parks, who died in New York at age 93, is survived by a nation and a people who will remember his great contribution to the African American community though film, photography, music and literature.

"He left us some pretty big shoes to fill," said Nia Lindsey, a sophomore photography major at Howard University. "He built the standard for black artists to live up to." She added, "He was such a magnificent artist. He was a true artist in every sense of the word."

The composer, painter, writer, director and photographer died March 7, leaving behind an abundance of great works. Directing such memorable films as "Shaft" and "the Learning Tree," from his autobiographical novel of the same name, Parks became the first major black Hollywood director. Earlier black directors, such as silent film pioneer Oscar Micheaux, produced films targeted to a segregated black audience.

Reflecting on the making of "the Learning Tree," Parks wrote: "A lot of people of all colors were anxious about the breakthrough, and I was anxious to make the most of it. The wait had been far too long. Just remembering that no black had been given a chance to direct a motion picture in Hollywood since it was established kept me going."

Through his art, Parks explored and captured the struggle and the successes of the African American. Parks said in his autobiography, "I was just born with a need to explore every tool shop of my mind, and with long searching and hard work. I became devoted to my restlessness."

Parks was honored with an honorary degree at Howard University's 1998 commencement and was the recipient that same year of a Paul Robeson Award from the Howard University Department of Radio, Television and Film. He touched the lives of many like Jason Hightower, a senior film major at Howard. "You don't realize that you are copying him, but on a subconscious, you look back and you are like, wow, I thought I was doing something new, but you are doing something that he has already done," Hightower said.

A trailblazer, the native of Fort Scott, Kan., started his career as a fashion photographer, using a $7.50 camera purchased from a pawn shop. His photos were displayed on the cover of Life magazine. He directed a short documentary on Flavio da Silva, a poor, ailing Brazilian boy he photographed for Life in 1961. Life readers sent in $30,000, enabling his family to build a home, the Associated Press reported.

Parks discussed his role as a black journalist for the publication. "Life magazine was eager to penetrate their ranks for stories, but the black movement thought of Life as just another white establishment out of tune with their cause," Parks said. He added that he strove to be "an objective reporter, but one with a subjective heart."

Parks enabled others to believe anything could be possible. "I hope from him people see there is no limit, wherever your mind goes you can make it happen," Hightower said.

Parks attributed his success to his aversion to failure. "At first I wasn't sure that I had talent, but I did know I had fear of failure, and that fear compelled me to fight off anything that might abet it," he said. "I survived evils, but without allowing them to rob me of the freedom to expand."

Akeyla Brown, a student at Howard University, writes for the Hilltop.

Posted March 8, 2006