By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
L.A.-based photographer and organizer Ron Wilkins, 78, showcases powerful images he captured from the Black liberation movements of the of the 1960s and beyond in his new book “Crook’s Lens: A Photographic Journey Through the Black Liberation Struggle,” published on Jan. 30, 2024.
The book by Wilkins includes photographs of renowned revolutionaries with whom he interacted, including Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis and Stokeley Carmichael (aka Kwame Ture). “The book is also a reflection of my evolution and ongoing work. I felt it was important I share my history, especially with young people. They can learn something from my example and carry on the struggle,” said Wilkins.
Wilkins was born in San Francisco, but his family relocated to Los Angeles in 1959. His peers gave him the nickname “Crook,” which is reflected in the title of his book. Constantly looking for ways to make money, Wilkins often resorted to stealing and reselling things. Eventually, Wilkins started stealing cars.
One fateful night he was arrested and served 8 months in a juvenile detention center. The harsh reality of that experience, he says, shook him to his core, steered him away from crime, and kickstarted his journey as an artist with a revolutionary perspective.
In 1967, Wilkins joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) after that group began to embrace the principles of the Black power movement, he told California Black Media.
During his time with SNCC, Wilkins met a professional photographer within the organization. He began to learn more about photography.
Wilkins’ book chronicles his life story through a diverse collection of photographs, capturing his encounters with historic Black organizers in the liberation movement and his travels to Africa. However, his most prized photo is of 5 Black girls sitting on the porch of the Pyramid Housing Projects in Cairo, Illinois in 1972. Additionally, Wilkins photographed Nina Simone, who was invited to lead a protest march through the heart of downtown, where White business owners were refusing to hire Black employees.
Wilkins’ hope is that his book will uplift the spirit of the young revolutionaries he photographed and inspire others to recognize that the struggle is not over. He also hopes it will remind young people that they can aspire to the same heights of passion, intelligence, and bravery that define the lives of the heroes depicted in his photos.
