"FAMU Energy and Culture 2007" Jena, Louisiana 2007

"FAMU Energy and Culture 2007" Jena, Louisiana 2007

This photograph, taken at the 2007 Jena Six protest, captures the deep cultural energy and collective spirit that fueled the demonstration, focusing on a group surrounding a drummer and a woman performing a call-and-response dance or rhythmic movement. This image provides a vital perspective on the protest as a cultural and spiritual event, not merely a political march.

The woman at the center, dressed in black with distinctive silver accents, has her arms outstretched, her body language conveying both exuberance and defiance. Her shirt bears the text "All Black Students?" likely a satirical or provocative challenge to the systemic issues being protested. She is surrounded by a crowd wearing purple shirts, many of which display the letters "AMU" (likely a reference to a university or organization showing solidarity). In the foreground, a protestor with long dreadlocks is positioned with a drum, suggesting that the rhythm and music were central to maintaining the energy, cadence, and morale of the marchers.

Unlike the other photographs that focus on official signs and political slogans, this image highlights the African American cultural traditions of resilience and collective expression—using rhythm, song, and embodied movement—to sustain a fight for justice. It shows that the protest was a total community effort, using cultural resources to create both visibility and emotional strength, turning a political rally into a profound communal affirmation.