Civil Rights. Appeal to this Age: Photography of the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1968.

Catalog of exhibition, Robert B. Menschel Photography Gallery, Syracuse University, Nov 1-Dec 20, 1995. #42 in the Robert B. Menschel series of exhibition catalogs. Introductory essay by Steven Kasher. Wraps, 16pp. [Includes finely reproduced photos by James Karales, Gordon Parks, Carl Iwasaki, Dan Weiner, Charles Moore, Mike Mauney, Danny Lyon, Charmain Reading, Ernest Withers, and Declan Haun.] Wraps, fine. Summary:

The exhibition catalog "Appeal to This Age: Photography of the Civil Rights Movement, 1954–1968" (1994) provides a visual and narrative survey of the American struggle for racial equality. Curated by Steven Kasher for the Howard Greenberg Gallery, the catalog accompanied a landmark traveling exhibition that helped solidify the role of photojournalism in the public memory of the movement.

Key Themes and Scope

• Chronological Coverage: The collection spans the "classic" era of the movement, beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1954/55) and concluding with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

• The Power of the Image: It explores how photography served as a vital tool for social change. By capturing both the brutal violence of segregationists and the dignified nonviolence of protestors, these images mobilized national and international support for the cause.

• Grassroots and Iconic Moments: While the catalog includes world-famous images of leaders like Dr. King and Malcolm X, it also highlights "unsung heroes" and grassroots activism, including the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and voter registration drives in the South.

Featured Photographers

The catalog features work by over 50 photographers, bridging the gap between artistic photography and hard news photojournalism. Key contributors include:

• Charles Moore: Known for his harrowing photos of police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham.

• Danny Lyon: A SNCC photographer who captured the movement from the inside.

• Gordon Parks: Whose work for Life magazine humanized the Black experience during the era.

• Dan Weiner, James Karales, and Richard Avedon: Whose collective work documented the tension and scale of the marches and protests.

Historical Significance

Kasher’s essay and the curated selection emphasize that the photographers were often participants in the struggle, risking their lives to ensure the movement could not be ignored. The catalog serves as both a historical record and a testament to the "courage and perseverance" of those who used the camera as a weapon for justice.