Little Black Boy by Rashod Taylor

Issue 166

My work addresses themes of race, culture, family, and Legacy and these images are a kind of family album, filled with friends and family, birthdays, vacations, and everyday life. At the same time, these images tell you more than my family story; they’re a window onto the Black American experience. As I document my son I am interested in examining his childhood and the world he navigates. At the same time these images show my own unspoken anxiety and fragility as it pertains to the wellbeing of my son and fatherhood. At times I worry if he will be ok as he goes to school or as he plays outside with friends as children do. These feelings are enhanced due to the realities of growing up black in America. He can't live a carefree childhood as he deserves; there is a weight that comes with his blackness, a weight that he is not ready to bear. It's my job to bear this weight as I am accustomed to the sorrows and responsibility it brings, the weight of injustice, prejudices, and racism that has been interwoven in our society and institutional systems for hundreds of years. I help him through this journey of childhood as I hope one day this weight will be lifted. 

Rashod Taylor (he/him) lives and works in Springfield, Missouri, USA.
rashodtaylor.com | @rashodtaylorphoto

 
 

Standing in My Parents Backyard

 
 
 

LJ and His Fort

 
 
 

Bath Time

 
 
 

Its Complicated

 
 
 

Deep Sleep

 
 
 

Tired of Fighting

 
 
 

Papi’s Hat

 
 
 

Superman

 
 
 

Reflection of Me

 
 
 

Never Let Go #1

 
 
 

Untitled #4

 
 
 

Protector

 
 
 

Never Let Go #2

 
 
 

LJ Laying on the Bed

 
 
 

Cowboys

 
 
 

Easter Sunday

 

Hold On

 

Snow Day

 

LJ with Bat

 

Sad Child