A Time to Remember: the Jamel Shabazz Experience
Written by Anderson Fortune Jr
Waking up on August 12th, 2026, I had no idea that I’d actually have the privilege to be in the presence of Jamel Shabazz, arguably one of the most polarizing African-American photographers of all time!
Many people look to Gordon Parks as the “don of all dons” in the realm of photographic artistry, and I rightfully agree. However, when you begin to peel back the layers of history, delving deep into the grassroots context of what it meant to be a polarizing figure who wielded a camera merely for documentation, you may find yourself encouraged and given permission to pursue just that!
Your surroundings can be your main muse, the denizens of an old world… a world of brewing hate and grotesque display of racism, fascism, and any other form of division. Gordon Parks performed on behalf of all African-Americans who were denied an official chance, one of dignity and equal-opportunity in the midst of unbearable cruelty. Ironically, once enlisted at the young age of 17 and discharged from the armed forces at age 20, an aspiring artist with a keen eye named Jamel Shabazz landed right back in Brooklyn, New York.
Many people look to Gordon Parks as the “don of all dons” in the realm of photographic artistry, and I rightfully agree. However, when you begin to peel back the layers of history, delving deep into the grassroots context of what it meant to be a polarizing figure who wielded a camera merely for documentation, you may find yourself encouraged and given permission to pursue just that!
Your surroundings can be your main muse, the denizens of an old world… a world of brewing hate and grotesque display of racism, fascism, and any other form of division. Gordon Parks performed on behalf of all African-Americans who were denied an official chance, one of dignity and equal-opportunity in the midst of unbearable cruelty. Ironically, once enlisted at the young age of 17 and discharged from the armed forces at age 20, an aspiring artist with a keen eye named Jamel Shabazz landed right back in Brooklyn, New York.
Upon roaming the endangered lands and seeing the agonizing pain that its inhabitants had to endure, Shabazz had been led to the grave realization that America had abandoned its humane priorities. Priorities being: a safe, healthy, and, mostly, EQUAL social environment for those underprivileged or unfortunate.
Whether they’re homeless, orphaned, or struggling with a reliant addiction to drugs, everyone should be a priority in the eyes of those “governing”. Shabazz evidently began to photograph Brooklyn, from its industrial infrastructure to its interpersonal connections– starting with his own neighborhood.
Commencing his journey to becoming a documentarian, he simply went with the humble beginner’s choice with a Canon AE-1, continued to traverse toward the big-named neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and even ventured into other boroughs!
How did one travel to other boroughs around that time?
That’s right, the subway.
In the eighties, the subway system was a thief’s primary source for illegal income, from gunpoint robberies to pickpocketing.
Even so, Shabazz gathered the courage and relative thinking needed to survive in an environment as violent as Old New York.
Even so, Shabazz gathered the courage and relative thinking needed to survive in an environment as violent as Old New York.
Taking the subway to other boroughs, Shabazz kept his newly acquired Contax 645 medium format camera on his person at all times, so that he’d be the documentarian for the good, the bad, and the ugly side that society had to offer.
Realizing that the subway had the reputation of being a crime-ridden cesspool of terror, he eventually succumbed to the reality that the subway alone was an underworld of muses that exemplified a common theme. What did the common theme happen to be? I have no idea, but later in life, Shabazz revealed that “love was the message.”
Realizing that the subway had the reputation of being a crime-ridden cesspool of terror, he eventually succumbed to the reality that the subway alone was an underworld of muses that exemplified a common theme. What did the common theme happen to be? I have no idea, but later in life, Shabazz revealed that “love was the message.”
Enough of the context and more about how this incredible experience with Jamel Shabazz shaped an entirely neutral view of the world post-millennium. As I’m writing this, I’m in my early twenties, and I find myself hell-bent on carving my insignia on the industry in a variety of unconventional ways.
I cannot detail the specifications of said ways, but in the company of and allegiance with the Bonnethead Collective, I believe that support purveys a comfortability that allows me to create with discretion, knowing there’ll be no judgment!
Days prior to meeting Jamel Shabazz, I would scavenge through social media, surveying other artists and learning as much as I could from the old and the new.
I cannot detail the specifications of said ways, but in the company of and allegiance with the Bonnethead Collective, I believe that support purveys a comfortability that allows me to create with discretion, knowing there’ll be no judgment!
Days prior to meeting Jamel Shabazz, I would scavenge through social media, surveying other artists and learning as much as I could from the old and the new.
Bonnethead Collective Interview X Jamel Shabazz
Once the meeting began to take place, Shabazz greeted us, and I shared a conversation with the legend. Our fellow founder of the collective, Marcus Hardy, shared our portfolios with the living legend, and in response to such fascination, Shabazz asked each of us questions that provoked self-contemplation.
Shabazz had then learned of my lineage in Brooklyn, particularly the historically relevant section of East Flatbush, and revealed that he, too, derived from the same lineage. He, too, grew up in the Eastern section of Flatbush, a cultural boiling pot consisting of various Caribbean nationalities, just at two completely different times.
As the legend and I continued to converse on the similarities of our origin, I revealed my intent in entering the motion picture industry through 16mm film. Upon hearing that, he suggested I make a short film on where he and I grew up, Flatbush. It felt great hearing those thoughts exit the mouth of someone I highly respect, as a photographer and better yet a soulful human being.
As the legend and I continued to converse on the similarities of our origin, I revealed my intent in entering the motion picture industry through 16mm film. Upon hearing that, he suggested I make a short film on where he and I grew up, Flatbush. It felt great hearing those thoughts exit the mouth of someone I highly respect, as a photographer and better yet a soulful human being.
Afterward, he spouted as much wisdom as came to mind. Offering programs for exhibition entries and community gatherings all around New York City, it was intriguing to know that we were in the presence and heeding the words of OUR Gordon Parks, a well-established force of nature who’s popular with people far more important than the average celebrity.
Overall, a great and unprecedented experience for any growing photographer/artist!
Overall, a great and unprecedented experience for any growing photographer/artist!
Anderson Fortune Jr.
Thank you to Mr. Shabazz for speaking with us!
Check out Mr. Shabazz's work on his Instagram
Check out Mr. Shabazz's work on his Instagram