Currently on display at the California African American Museum(CAAM), “Question Bridge: Black Males” is the brainchild of photographer Chris Johnson. The video installation is composed of a back-and-forth exchange between Black men across generational, socioeconomic and geographic divisions, even though the men aren’t in the same room together. For example, a young man in one city is recorded posing a question to a generation or so older than him. Then, a man in a different city records his response. It is through this project that Johnson hopes to offer a window into the diversity of what some have called “the most opaque and feared demographic in our culture.”
The original version of “Question Bridge” began in San Diego in 1996 as a way to get the African American community that was divided by neighborhood and by region to talk to each other. Now, after capturing 1,500 exchanges over the past four years, the current version has been showcased at 20 different museums around the country.
Part of the goal of “Question Bridge” is to change the monolithic concept of what it means to be Black. At a time when violence towards young Black men—often based on misconceptions—is a national talking point, the conversation has relevance.
“When someone is bigoted and armed, and they don’t see a young African American male as a human being, [Black males] are easier to kill,” Johnson said. “So the whole purpose of projects like this is to re-inject the humanity behind the stereotypes that cause those types of tragedies.”
Earlier this month CAAM hosted a Blueprint Roundtable. The discussion was an offshoot of “Question Bridge” that was prompted by a question aimed towards the older generation about why a blueprint was not left for the younger males to live by. African American Firefighter Museum President Brent Burton participated in the panel discussion at CAAM and understands the frustration.
“In the 50s, the men back then were opening the doors,” Burton said. “In the 60s they were kicking in doors. In the 70s, they were making sure the door was open. In the 80s, we kind of let the door close behind us, we didn’t leave the door ajar. So it’s unfortunate we didn’t get to bring the others up.”
The roundtable panel consisted of eight males from different walk of life. Questions ranged from “Why is there so much comfort for fathers to abandon their families?” to “Why do Black males still blame White males for their problems?” to “Why is there a disconnect between younger and older Blacks?”
Johnson noted that two of the most common recurring themes among the questions asked over the years are family and identity.
“I think it reflects the kinds of uncertainties and divisions that have made the Black family so fragile in our culture,” Johnson said. “The role of the man in the Black family has been controversial for a long, long time and I think what you’re seeing is men trying to find a way to develop positive ways of expressing themselves.”
Britt Dixon expresses himself through dance. The 28-year-old also gives back by teaching youth the tap dancing art that he has been practicing for 20 years. He took part in the panel to generate discussion on some of the questions he had, and he serves as an example of the potential that can arise when Black males reach out to youth.
“A cousin of mine was a dancer and his father noticed that I needed a sort of outlet, so he blessed me by giving me that outlet,” Dixon said.
With a growing assimilation into the world at large, the view of Black men has come into sharper focus. Although not everyone shares the same views, it is through honest discussion that positive change can be made. Question Bridge is on view at CAAM through June.
By Robert Gillard OW Intern
