Photographing the Civil Rights Movement: Danny Lyon and Julian Bond
This post was originally published January 20, 2014. We’re resurfacing it now to honor Julian Bond in the wake of his death on August 15, 2015.—The Proof Team
Photographer and filmmaker Danny Lyon was the keynote speaker at the 2014 National Geographic Photography Seminar—an annual celebration of photography held at the society’s headquarters in Washington.
Lyon captured some of the civil rights movement’s most compelling moments, from the March on Washington, to the aftermath of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. For other projects, he immersed himself deeply with his subjects—including the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club, and death-row prisoners in Texas.
Lyon was interviewed at the seminar by Julian Bond—a politician, professor, writer, and civil rights leader. The two first met in the 1960s when Lyon became the photographer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Chicago. Bond was one of the founding members.
Part of Lyon and Bond’s discussion focused on their involvement in the early civil rights movement. Here, we bring you an excerpt of that conversation, which took place on Jan. 9th.
Danny Lyon has won two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Rockefeller Fellowship, and ten National Endowment for the Arts awards. He is affiliated with Magnum Photos, and his work has appeared at MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Center for Creative Photography.
You can watch Lyon’s full keynote address here. Also, visit his website, blog, and view a selection of his work from ‘The Bikeriders’ project. Lyon’s work is also currently on exhibit through Feb. 14, at the Edwynn Houk Gallery in New York.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Behind the scenes at America’s biggest birding festivalBehind the scenes at America’s biggest birding festival
- How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
Environment
- The northernmost flower living at the top of the worldThe northernmost flower living at the top of the world
- This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitionsHow fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions
History & Culture
- This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened?
- These were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ eraThese were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ era
Science
- Is the 5-second rule true? Science finally has an answer.
- Science
- Gory Details
Is the 5-second rule true? Science finally has an answer. - E-bikes are good for the environment—but what about your health?E-bikes are good for the environment—but what about your health?
- Why trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve itWhy trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve it
Travel
- The best LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every travelerThe best LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every traveler
- 6 of the best active pursuits on Cape Cod and the Islands
- Paid Content
6 of the best active pursuits on Cape Cod and the Islands - The key to better mindfulness may be your public gardenThe key to better mindfulness may be your public garden