I AM A MAN: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1960–1970

A powerful visual journey through the pivotal decade of the 1960s unfolds at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol as "I AM A MAN: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1960–1970" opens its doors from January 27 to March 16. The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of photographs capturing the profound changes and historic moments of the civil rights movement in the American South.

Curated by Southern folklorist, author, and curator William Ferris, the exhibition features a compelling mix of images taken by amateurs, local photojournalists, and internationally renowned photographers. The photographs, sought out by Ferris and his research team, vividly depict the desegregation of public spaces and the securing of voting rights for African Americans during a transformative era.

"I AM A MAN" provides a unique narrative, shedding light on the integration of the civil rights movement into daily life in the American South. The images range from iconic portrayals of protestors carrying signs with messages like "I Am A Man" to rarely seen snapshots captured by activists and local news photographers.

Key events highlighted in the exhibition include James Meredith’s admission to the University of Mississippi, Ku Klux Klan gatherings, the Selma Montgomery March in Alabama, the sanitation workers’ strike in Memphis, Martin Luther King’s funeral, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the Mule Train.

"I AM A MAN: Civil Rights Photographs in the American South, 1960–1970" invites viewers to reflect on the enduring resonance of these images. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a visual chronicle of an era that shaped the course of history.