Without the framework of an organized civil rights or black resistance struggle,individual and collective efforts at black liberation that focus on the primacy of self-definition and self-determination often go unrecognized. It is crucial that those among us who resist and rebel, who survive and succeed speak openly and honestly about our lives and the nature of our personal struggles, the means by which we resolve and reconcile contradictions. This is not an easy task....Yet if we are to reach our people and all people, if we are to remain connected (especially those of us whose familial backgrounds are poor or working-class), we must understand that the telling ones' personal story provides a meaningful example, a way for folks to identify and connect. bell hooks, Talking Back The Civil Rights Movement is an ongoing struggle of equality for people of color. The Movement has changed, but the struggle continues to be fought today. There are many who deserve to be acknowledged for their contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. This project allowed me the opportunity to preserve images and narratives of a few of those people in Minnesota that are part of a larger international struggle. I believe we all have the responsibility of maintaining a civil society with equal rights for all citizens. The individual efforts of each participant are what made the Movement effective and paved the way for change. Only with the continued efforts of individuals will the struggle continue. Every generation must be educated about the history of African-Americans to acknowledge and understand why there was ever a need for a Civil Rights Movement. My goal was to use traditional approaches to photography and interviewing to produce an engaging exhibition that captures reflections of society in the individuals who are invovled in the Civil Rights Movement. During this process, I learned more history about the Movement and regained my belief in the power that individuals have to make a difference. The participants were interviewed. Some of the questions were from students in Washburn High School's U.S. History Class. They also responded to ten words: Control, Dehumanize, Stigma, Traumatize, Loss, Identity, Survival, Inspire, Hope, Closure. The words are from a book for schools on how to relate to new immigrants who are victims of torture or traumatic situations, who are from unstable countries. The participants were asked to give their current thoughts and reflections of how the words relate to the Movement. I hope this exhibit inspires others to seek more information about the Civil Rights Movement and do their part to make equality a priority for this country. Thanks to J'Otis Powell! for editing the interviews.

CIVIL RIGHTS/BLACK ARTS: AN ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY by J. Otis Powell! Home