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Why Gordon Parks’ Most Famous Photo Almost Wasn’t Released

During World War II, renowned photographer Gordon Parks created an image that was seen as a searing indictment of racial politics in the U.S. with Ella Watson, a cleaner who posed with her mop and broom in front of the American flag. Host Vincent Brown discusses Parks’ motivation for taking the photo, how he worked with Watson and his philosophy that the camera could be used “as a weapon.”

English
  • Originally Aired October 18, 2022
  • Runtime 12 minutes
  • Network PBS
  • Notes Is the series finale
  • Created March 18, 2024 by
    Zetacon
  • Modified March 18, 2024 by
    Zetacon