Ernest Withers in 1941. Photo © Ernest C. Withers Trust.
Ernest Withers, who famously captured images of the segregated South in the ’50s and ’60s, was one of the most respected photographers of the civil rights era. But now his reputation is under attack after recent revelations that he was actually supplying information to the FBI.
A shattering report from the Memphis newspaper Commercial Appeal reveals that Withers, who died from a stroke in 2007 at the age of 85, supplied sensitive information about civil rights figures to the Federal Government. That includes candid photographs, license plate numbers, biographical information and scheduling plans.
Known as “the original civil rights photographer,” Withers’ black-and-white images of racial tensions and strife during the century’s middle decades — such as his photographs of solidarity marches and the infamous Emmet Till murder trial — were momentous in shifting the country’s attitudes towards the movement.
Still, Withers reported to the opposition. According to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, Withers took advantage of the access he had to the inner circles of Civil Rights leaders, including Dr. King. The extent of information that he passed on is not fully known, and many believe there was nothing that Withers could have revealed that would have been particularly damaging since the movement strove for openness.
Now that the truth about Withers involvement with the FBI has been revealed, do his photographs still retain their power and authenticity? Withers’ work has been lauded for its candidness, and for capturing rare, intimate sides of civil rights leaders who were constantly in the spotlight. But does this recent revelation undo all that?
What do you think?
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The work still speaks for itself, however what is the moral thing to do as far as spending money? Would I purchase the rights to use his work in a book or magazine? That is the hard question! He is gone, but his estate probably continues to profit from his betrayal. So it comes down to a morality question and I for one am not sure yet what the right answer for me is. I do feel that it is a shame that the FBI has corrupted so many over the years for so little gain to society!
The work still speaks for itself, however what is the moral thing to do as far as spending money? Would I purchase the rights to use his work in a book or magazine? That is the hard question! He is gone, but his estate probably continues to profit from his betrayal. So it comes down to a morality question and I for one am not sure yet what the right answer for me is. I do feel that it is a shame that the FBI has corrupted so many over the years for so little gain to society!