Ari Berman, author of “Give us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America,” visited Western Kentucky University to talk about his book on behalf of the Fleischacker Greene Scholar program. The program is structured in a class like setting where, this semester, journalism and political science students are creating projects focused on power, privilege and democracy in America’s voting system. As a visual journalist in the class, I was able to make these two portraits of Ari Berman during his visit. 

Greetings,

I am currently working on my capstone project in my advanced photojournalism class. The start has been bumpy. I’ll give you the short story… I had an awesome project that focused on one young adult and the affects that being in and out of the juvenile system were having on his life. I interviewed him but when it was time to get permission to start working on the documentary aspect of the project, the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice halted me. I was sad, to say the least. But instead of moping around (for too long) I decided to dig into my bag of previous assignments to see if I could find a relevant story and/or topic. 

And miraculously, I did. 

Last summer, while interning at the Louisville Courier-Journal, I met the Duncan brothers. These young men have been through a lot. At the ages of 5 and 7 they found their mothers deceased body on a school day afternoon. Since then, they have been bounced around from one relatives house to another, never leaving each others side. Just last summer their uncle, an ex-felon and triumphant former prison circuit boxer (Approx. 122 W- 28 L), decided to adopt them as his own. He says that the judge took a chance on him getting the boys. Granted, he has 5 previous felon charges, he says it is difficult for him to find work and he is currently on disability due to health issues. 

The boys are currently members of Louisville Select Boxing, a group that focuses on getting young boys off the streets and finding an outlet for their anger. The oldest brother, Demetrius, 15, is who I have decided to focus on. By face value, he is your typical adolescence. He has a girlfriend, he likes to hang out with his friends, he enjoys playing basketball and he is a big brother. James and his fiance hark on Demetrius for keeping up his grades, being respectful to the people around him, controlling his anger and not getting caught up in “love” with teenage girls. Demetrius listens and, like most teens, tries his best to stay on the straight path. 

Boxing means a lot to Demetrius. Boxing isn’t just an outlet for anger, or a way to get stronger. For Demetrius and other black male youth in the city of Louisville, boxing is a promise for a better life. Winning this upcoming title belt at the Junior Golden Gloves event isn’t just bragging rights but it’s the beginning of a journey to get his family out of Louisville. A city that has been in the national spotlight for its high incarceration rates and recent spike in gun violence. 

I have been asked to document Demetrius in video form, which for me, is internally the most terrifying thing one could ask me to do. I am well versed in still images. I can shoot video but it isn’t my favorite thing to do. Still shooting is a breeze because it’s just you and a camera. People aren’t worried about watching what they say or how they act because a single camera isn’t that intimidating. Now, when you have a camera, a tripod and a wireless mic on your subject at ALL times, things can get weird. But as Chad Stevens said in class yesterday, “It’s college, your supposed to experiment with mediums. Get out there and do it.” 

So, here I am. Walking around looking like an octopus, hoping to tell Demetrius and his family’s story in a powerful way. 

Stay tuned. 

#42 Days ‘Til Cap and Gown!

I haven’t posted in a while. As mentioned before, last semester I was focused on producing content for our student newspaper, as I was the acting photo editor. Now that I am back on staff, I will be shooting a lot more content. Plus, I am also working on a semester long story for one of my photo classes. What better way to begin posting again than by displaying MORE basketball. I really enjoyed the photographing the game and I wasn’t as rusty as I thought I would be.

The Lady Toppers won this Conference USA game against North Texas. Lady Topper forward Kendall Noble made it into the 1,000 point club after scoring 22 points during the game. The Lady Toppers now have a 5-0 C-USA standing. 

North Texas forward Acheil Tac (23) and Lady Topper guard Ima Akpan (20) fight for the rebound during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 - 53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

North Texas forward Acheil Tac (23) right and Tosin Mabodu (30) left, attempt to block a layup by Lady Topper forward Taylor Brown (2) during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper forward Dee Givens (4) pushes passed North Texas guard Kasiney Williams (10) during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper guard Kendall Noble (12) tries to maintain possession of the ball after stealing it from North Texas, during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper guard Ima Akpan (20) scuffles with North Texas guard Kasiney Williams for possession of the ball during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper forward Ivy Brown (23) attempts a two pointer during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

North Texas guard Terra Ellison (20) winces as she is helped off of her back following a collision with a Lady Topper during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper’s head coach Michelle Clark-Heard talks with the team during a time out in the third quarter. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

North Texas forward Acheil Tac (23) and Lady Topper guard Ima Akpan (20) fight for the rebound during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 - 53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper guard Kendall Noble (12) goes for a two-pointer during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Noble finished the game with 8 rebounds and 22 points. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper forward Tashia Brown (10) fights North Texas forward Acheil Tac (23) and guard Candice Adams (14) for a rebound during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper forward Tashia Brown (10) defends the ball against North Texas guard Kelsey Criner (3) during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper guard Kendall Noble (12) loses control of the ball as the clock winds down in the fourth quarter, during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper head coach Michelle Clark-Heard speaks to junior guard Ima Akpan (20) during a team time out, at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

Lady Topper forward Tashia Brown (10) goes for a layup during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD

A referees speaks with Lady Topper head coach Michelle Clark-Heard (left) and North Texas head coach Jalie Mitchell (right) after a member of the North Texas team was injured during the Conference USA game at Diddle Arena, Saturday, January 16. The Lady Topper’s defeated the Eagles, 65 -53. Alyssa Pointer/HERALD