Picturing Freedom: African Americans & Their Cars, A Photographic History

Picturing Freedom chronicles and celebrates the photographic history of African Americans and their cars by focusing on personal images of the pride and joy of car ownership (1900-1980+).
Owning a car was a significant life-changing achievement. It offered special freedoms—the freedom to travel, the freedom to work further from home, the freedom to visit family and friends, the freedom to avoid Jim Crow laws, and the freedom to migrate. The car was unequivocal evidence of Black success and an important symbol of status in a country that had long fought their advancement in every area. Car ownership was purposely and proudly photographed. All of the photographs were taken in Black communities by a family member or a friend and reveal how African Americans represented themselves.
This 2022 IPPY award-winning compilation of over 450 unique photographs is an inspiring visual narrative of American life. Included are histories of photography, car freedoms, and travel, as well as contributions from legendary photographer Chester Higgins, Jr. and public health advocate Gerald Deas, MD.
The Burns African American Historical Photography Collection and Burns Archive have been a source of exhibitions and documentaries on the African American experience for over 45 years. Picturing Freedom is the fiftieth book from Stanley B. Burns, MD, and the sixth from Elizabeth A. Burns.