ChrisMcNair epitomizes the adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
McNair’sphotography depicting the triumphs and defeats of the Civil Rights Movement areon display at the Southern University Museum of Art.
McNair, 79,has photographed prominent portraits of the Civil Rights Era such as Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. shaking hands with supporters and former Alabama GovernorGeorge Wallace’s infamous stand against school integration at the University ofAlabama, both which are displayed at SUMA.
Wallacekept a campaign pledge to keep Alabama’s public schools segregated andpersonally blocked the entrance to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosaafter two black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, attempted to enter. Hedid not leave until United States President John F. Kennedy activated theAlabama National Guard into a federal peacekeeping unit. He then stepped asideand returned back to the state’s capital of Montgomery.
“I was oneof five black journalists on June 11, 1963, when Wallace blocked that door,”McNair said. “It was the hottest June 11 that I could remember.”
Whileattending Tuskegee Institute in 1942, McNair took an interest in photographyafter meeting renowned black photographer Prentice Herman Polk.
”I went to college when I was 16. No, Iwasn’t a genius, just some folks thought I was, but I wasn’t,” McNair said. “Igrew up in a little place called Fordyce, Ark. I don’t know if I had a camerain my hands before I went to college and this is the truth.”
When McNairrealized that his family was not able to support him while in college, he tookit upon himself to work a full-time job.
In 1945,McNair decided to join the Army. He later returned to Tuskegee and finishedwith a bachelor’s degree in agriculture while specializing in agronomy, thestudy of soil and plant sciences.
Aftergraduating from college, McNair became a teacher of war veterans for theMississippi State Department.
“I rememberspeaking to the superintendent of education and you know, I was trying to soundintelligent and correct,” McNair said. ”I was saying ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘No, sir’ and he asked me where I wasraised, so I told him Arkansas. In response, he told me, ‘We got some good’darkies’ down here and I don’t want you to forget your southern discipline.'”
McNair saidhe knew the cost of some statements for blacks living in the south, so he neverended a statement without adding “Sir” to those words again.
Afterwards,McNair focused more on his career as a professional photographer. During thisperiod began the climax of the Civil Rights Movement. McNair said that he wasfaced with many obstacles and hardships that were not all too uncommon toblacks.
“I had tobe careful with what I was doing, but it’s like anything else. You need tothink all the time and know who you are and know where you are. This is thesame way you do in life. You got to figure out what it is you need to do and doit,” Mc Nair said. “Understand me, I believe in following rules, but you firstneed to know the rules and if you know the rules you can break the rules. Butyou do need to know what the rules are — so when you break them, you know whatyour possibilities are if you get caught.”
One of hismost riveting photos came after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing thattook place on Sept. 16, 1963, in Birmingham, Ala. (then known as “Bombingham”because of the many bombings of black establishments). He only took one picture that day, aphoto that displayed the front corner of the church with broken glass anddamaged cars and mortar.
The bombingkilled four young girls, including Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and CaroleRoberson, all 14 years old. It was no coincidence that the youngest, DeniseMcNair, who was 11, shared the same last name. She was McNair’s daughter.
“He had away of turning a tragedy into a heroism in respect to his daughters death,”said Chrystal Hills museum facilitator.
Since that day,the master photographer wanted to do his part in ensuring the fight andstruggle that blacks endured was going to be remembered.
“Keeping upwith what happens is extremely important. But keeping a record of it is morethan that. For another reason, you don’t need to ever relax and think thatthings are the same for you as they are for the other folks,” he said. “Sobeing black, you need to figure out a way to keep up with it.”
Last year,McNair and his wife Maxine visited the White House to commemorate his slaindaughter’s 53rd birthday with one of her kindergarten classmates and childhoodfriends, U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
McNair hasnot let the experiences of Birmingham deter him. He and his wife still residethere.
They ownand operate a photography studio there as well, along with their two daughters,Lisa and Kimberly. He has dedicated space in his studio to memorialize Deniseand to constantly remind him of his role in civil rights.
