Many years later, Delbert Africa’s give up still provides a robust image of US racism and black victimhood

46 years ago, on August 8, 1978, Philadelphia police surrounded the house of controversial MOVE organization in Powelton Village with the intention of driving out the predominantly black group.

The result was a shootout that Police Officer James Ramp Dead and 18 injured.

During the deadly confrontation, a MOVE spokesman said Delbert Africa was dragged, beaten and kicked by three white cops. Shortly before the violent attack Philadelphia Inquirer photographer Jim Domke took a photograph of the MOVE member along with his arms outstretched as he attempted to give up.

Africa served 42 years in prison for the murder of Ramp and was released from prison in January 2020. He died six months laterHe was 74 years old.

With the exception of stories of Africa's release from prison and subsequent death, Domke's photo was largely relegated to the background. mere footnote in American history.

A controversial group

Described within the media alternately as “back to nature” group and a “terrorist“MOVE”, the cult, was hard to clarify.

All members of the group adopted the surname Africa. They rejected modern technology, ate raw food, and advocated for animal rights. They spoke out loudly, often through blaring loudspeakers, against police brutality and other abuses of power. They were also accused by neighbors of kid neglect and general poor hygiene.

In short, MOVE was a polarizing entity.

It was no surprise, then, that the image of Delbert Africa surrendering to the police further divided the people of Philadelphia.

Black and white victims

With hair mostly covering his face, Africa's bare torso takes center stage in Domke's photograph, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Africa, who’s willing to endure the police beatings, is portrayed as a victim of police brutality – a message that’s in direct contradiction to the death of the white police officer.

As a scholar of American memory, I even have argued in my research that the death of a police officer calls the social fabric into query by highlighting the risks of being a police officer. These deaths also require – within the interest of society as an entire – the understanding that they weren’t in vain.

According to letters to the editor published in Philadelphia, there can only be one victim.

And that wasn't Africa.

It can be easy to assume that Domke's photograph has faded into the background of American public memory. Part of the issue is that the 1978 incident was overshadowed by a fair more dramatic and violent confrontation between police and MOVE that occurred seven years later.

In this incident in 1985 dropped a bomb on the home in West Philadelphia where MOVE lived. But as a substitute of extinguishing the hearth that followed, let the hearth burnEleven people were killed, 60 houses were destroyed and about 250 people were left homeless.

Nevertheless, I consider that a better have a look at the photograph and its context can shed much light on today's ambivalence in interpreting visual evidence of black victimhood.

It is subsequently necessary to maneuver beyond images that reduce people to either heroes or villains. Domke's photography of Africa's give up reveals a more sophisticated and nuanced understanding of race, racism and power.