Black Lives Matter

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, was killed in Minneapolis after policeman Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. The latest of a never-ending series of aggression towards the black community in the US has sparked a series of protests across the country and globally on social media. With this message, all of us at PHmuseum wish to stand in solidarity with the family of George Floyd, the black community and the Black Lives Matter movement and invite you to do the same and show your solidarity in condemning this injustice.

Condemning and standing all together though is just the beginning. It shall not end here. This is where it shall start. There is indeed much more we can all do together to fight against violence and inequality. With this message, all of us at PHmuseum commits even strongly to support diversity, multiculturalism and respect in the activities we carry out, from articles to exhibitions, from workshops to open calls. We also commit to discussing how we can use our technology to facilitate the way professionals can discover and hire underrepresented photographers, and we are open to collaborations so feel free to reach out and suggest ideas.

With this message, we also strongly invite all the key players in the photography industry - festivals, fairs, agencies, cooperatives, galleries, editors, curators - to support diversity at the moment of hiring and promoting. We need more stories commissioned to black photographers, especially when they are covering black communities and issues. We need more black photo editors, photography directors, and managers. Important players in our industry cannot miss another opportunity to translate verbal support into facts, nor shall delegate to independent organisations that often have less instruments to perpetrate this mission.

As an individual, you can also give your contribution. You can check this extensive list of resources for photographers and beyond on anti-racism offered by the Authority Collective. You can read this list of 11 things you can do to help Black Lives Matter end police violence. You can also follow and support organisations like African Artists Foundation and Women Photographers Of The African Diaspora.

It is our responsibility as a global community to undertake specific actions that could tackle discrimination and unequal opportunities. With this message we wish to stay close to all those who are suffering, who feel lost or hopeless. You are not alone and we wish you to know that we stand beside you. Now more than ever is time to stand and act all together.