A Choice of Weapons, inspired by Gordon Parks
Discussion Questions
PART 1: Reflection Post
All of you will need to answer these questions in a written reflection post on your online portfolio. Choose 6 out of the 10 questions to answer in full. Each question should be answered in at least 3 complete sentences. Some questions are linked so be strategic about the questions you choose to focus on in your written reflection response.
Illustrate at least 2 of your chosen questions with a Gordon Parks photograph that helps support your answer. Use the photo archive links above to find photos to help support your 2 chosen questions.
We will also discuss these questions as a class.
All of you will need to answer these questions in a written reflection post on your online portfolio. Choose 6 out of the 10 questions to answer in full. Each question should be answered in at least 3 complete sentences. Some questions are linked so be strategic about the questions you choose to focus on in your written reflection response.
Illustrate at least 2 of your chosen questions with a Gordon Parks photograph that helps support your answer. Use the photo archive links above to find photos to help support your 2 chosen questions.
We will also discuss these questions as a class.
- What role do you believe photographs and other visual representations play in shaping hearts and minds and/or attitudes and behaviors?
- Describe Gordon Parks’ approach to his subjects and his subject matter. What is notable and/or unique about how he photographs them?
- How did Parks’ identity as a Black man in America shape his presence as an artist?
- How does having a close and trusting relationship with the people they are photographing affect an artist’s work? How does it affect the artist?
- The camera lens itself provides a point of view, in that it captures a scene from a particular distance and angle and provides a frame and boundary of an image. How did Gordon Parks express a point of view through his images?
- Do the contemporary artists in the film share a point of view with Gordon Parks? If so, how?
- How do you understand Parks’ use of the camera as a corrective to injustice?
- How can his published imagery function as a call to action?
- How has the use of documentary photography evolved for this purpose (the camera as a corrective means to injustice or a call to action)?
Resources
2021 Documentary: A Choice of Weapons - inspired by Gordon Parks (on HBO Max)
2000 Documentary: Half Past Autumn (free to watch on Vimeo)
Gordon Parks Foundation Website
Gordon Park Photography Archive
Invisible Man-collaboration with writer Ralph Ellison
Ella Watson-Library of Congress
Uncovering America: Gordon Parks-Pinterest board Photography Archive
____________________________
Photography-Devin Allen
Photography-La Toya Ruby Frazier
Photography-Jamal Shabazz
Film-Ava DuVernay
Film-Spike Lee
2000 Documentary: Half Past Autumn (free to watch on Vimeo)
Gordon Parks Foundation Website
Gordon Park Photography Archive
Invisible Man-collaboration with writer Ralph Ellison
Ella Watson-Library of Congress
Uncovering America: Gordon Parks-Pinterest board Photography Archive
____________________________
Photography-Devin Allen
Photography-La Toya Ruby Frazier
Photography-Jamal Shabazz
Film-Ava DuVernay
Film-Spike Lee