Award-winning filmmaker Elijah Hasan photographed and interviewed dozens of Black Portlanders of all ages. Here, he is photographing the nods of former Sen. Avel Gordly and her adult son.
Our Black Nod film is a
Love Letter
to Oregon's Black community
In a state where Blacks make up just 3% percent of the population, the Black Nod can mean EVERYTHING - especially in an era that makes us feel so distant from each other. This subtle and reverent gesture is the closest thing we have to a secret handshake of ethnic solidarity.
The Black Nod is:
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a call and response
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a cultural symbol of belonging
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a visual hug
The Black Nod acknowledges our visibility within white-dominated spaces. It helps us remind each other that we are seen, appreciated and valued, and also that we share similar struggles with being marginalized and ignored by others.
CHECK OUT the full film
