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| Ellie Weems photograph collection, ca. 1951 |
When
I attended an open house for the Auburn Avenue Research Library’s archives I
knew I wanted to become a volunteer. As an aspiring archivist, I was very
interested in learning about the profession. I was placed on the Ellie Weems
photograph collection in which I had expressed interest. Weems was a local
Atlanta photographer who later moved to Jacksonville, Florida where the
majority of his large collection was created. Over the years, however, the
collection became jumbled and needed organization. So far my job has been
simple: taking the photos and placing them into envelopes to help preserve and
organize them.
Rehousing
the photographs offers a unique look into the past. The images provide a window
into people’s homes, into their schools, and into their happiest and saddest
moments. I have seen hundreds of photographs of simple portraits, church
functions, school events, weddings, and even funerals. All of the pictures have
a story to tell about the lives and realities of black Americans. Most of the
photos are self-explanatory but every so often my work is livened up by photos
I cannot explain.
On
my first day with the collection, I came across a picture from 1951 that has intrigued
me ever since. In it a group of school
children are dressed in white t-shirts with Confederate battle flags while they
are waving American flags. While such a picture would no doubt cause a visceral
reaction today, I do not have such a context from this time period. I have
speculated on what could possibly be going on in the picture. Could it be a
form of self-racism or a form of protest? Was the Confederate battle flag not
as controversial then as it is now? Or perhaps things were just different in
Florida. As a historian, I am very curious to know what the photo depicts
because it would add another dimension to black history.
So
far, my time in the archives has been informative and interesting. If anyone
happens to know what the context of the picture might be, feel free to share.
Posted by Jasmine
Talley, AARL Volunteer
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