Boys with Raised Baseball Mitts, Chicago 1953

"Boys with Raised Baseball Mitts, Chicago" is a powerful black and white photograph by Gordon Parks, taken in 1953. The image captures a group of young African American boys engaged in a playful game of catch in a Chicago street. Their raised baseball mitts and energetic postures highlight the innocence and joy of childhood. Parks, known for his social documentary style, uses the reflection in a puddle to create a sense of depth and emphasize the boys' isolation in their urban environment. The photograph provides a glimpse into the lives of young people in postwar America, showcasing the realities of poverty and racial segregation.