Freedom Riders

Maranie Rae Staab
Freedom Riders,  2020
Photograph

“This photo, taken in Syracuse, New York in Summer 2020, juxtaposes a mural of Martin Luther King, Jr. with contemporary BLM protesters. By seeing these two images together, I wanted to show that contemporary movement for a more equitable and racially-just American society is fueled, inspired and mentored by past generations. The title of the piece underscores that relationship.” - Maranie Staab

Maranie Rae Staab is a Pittsburgh-based, independent photographer and journalist working to document human rights and social justice issues. Her work focuses on people, especially those  in  marginalized parts of society, domestically and abroad. She photographs with the aspiration to dispel misconceptions, to underline our common humanity, and to further understanding of worlds outside our own. She is motivated by the conviction that still images can have the power to inform, inspire, change the way we think and even move people to act. To date, her work has taken her throughout Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.