What Future? Possibly 1964 - 1982

James "Jimmie" Mannas Jr. created this black and white photograph, entitled "What Future?", with an eye to social commentary. The image presents a young boy looking off into the distance, while an older boy leans against a decorative iron fence with a book in his lap, his head buried in his arm. This was made in the US, likely during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The visual codes of poverty, segregation, and the weight of limited opportunities resonate powerfully. The title "What Future?" directly confronts viewers with the systemic inequalities affecting Black youth, and the photograph functions as a powerful critique of a society that restricts potential based on race. It challenges viewers to consider the social conditions shaping the lives and futures of these young people. As historians, we delve into archives, census data, and period documents to understand these images better. Art like this becomes a crucial historical document, reflecting social realities and sparking conversations about the role of institutions in shaping individual lives.