Polly Bond entry 2025
Category: Visual Arts / Photography

Just Tears

This evocative photograph captures an older man standing solemnly in the rain at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Cloaked in a raincoat and holding an umbrella, he gazes at a marker detailing the terror lynchings memorialized in this sacred space. The green grass that surrounds him contrasts starkly with the haunting silhouettes of suspended markers in the background, each representing lives lost to racial violence.

The title, Just Tears, speaks to the layered emotions in this scene. The rain mirrors the tears shed by the earth and humanity, symbolizing collective grief for the injustices of the past. The word just carries dual significance: it highlights the pursuit of justice and underscores the raw, unfiltered sorrow embodied in the moment. The photograph invites viewers to reflect on the weight of history and the shared responsibility to honor those who suffered and strive for a more equitable future.

Goals: The primary goal of Just Tears was to capture a photograph that encapsulated the emotional and spiritual essence of an ecumenical civil rights pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma. The image was intended to evoke reflection, empathy, and a call to action by highlighting the profound grief and resilience experienced during this journey. The photograph also served as a visual anchor for the pilgrimage’s themes of justice, healing, and reconciliation, offering a moment for viewers to connect with the weight of history and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

Audience: The photograph is intended for a diverse audience, including members of the Episcopal Church in Delaware and the New Castle Presbytery, and broader civic and faith-based communities engaged in social justice work. Additionally, the image was intended to resonate with individuals seeking a deeper understanding of racial history and reconciliation. By serving as the cover of the pilgrimage booklet and being prominently displayed, it aimed to reach those committed to awareness, dialogue, and change.

Summary: Just Tears captured an evocative moment during the pilgrimage—a man standing in the rain, reading a marker at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, surrounded by the solemn markers of lives lost to terror lynchings. The photograph’s title reflects dual layers of meaning: the tears of the man, the tears of the earth, and the quest for justice. Selected as the cover for the pilgrimage booklet, this photograph sets a reverent tone for the stories within, symbolizing the journey’s emotional depth and the pilgrims’ commitment to addressing the injustices of the past. The image’s raw, contemplative power invites viewers into a shared experience of grief, hope, and accountability.

Metrics: 

  • Just Tears served as the cover of the 28-page Civil Rights Pilgrimage booklet, which was distributed to many individuals across church, civic groups, and congress.
  • The photograph on the booklet cover was prominently displayed during the Episcopal Church in Delaware’s Annual Convention and the New Castle Presbytery’s annual gathering, collectively reaching an audience of approximately 400 attendees.
  • The digital photograph has been used by various churches, as well as civic and faith-based communities, that are engaged in social justice work.

The photograph Just Tears was chosen as the cover of the pilgrimage booklet for its profound ability to encapsulate the essence of the journey. This image, depicting a solitary man in the rain, standing in quiet reflection at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, serves as a poignant visual representation of the pilgrimage.

The photograph’s layered meaning—tears from the man, the earth, and the cry for justice—mirrors the deep emotional and spiritual exploration undertaken by the pilgrims. Its composition invites viewers to pause and reflect, setting the tone for the stories and images woven throughout the booklet. The stark markers in the background, symbolizing lives lost to terror lynchings, remind readers of the weight of history that shaped the pilgrimage.

By featuring Just Tears as the cover, the booklet immediately draws attention to the pilgrimage’s purpose: to honor those who suffered, confront the past with open hearts, and commit to a more just and inclusive future. The photograph’s solemn beauty creates a powerful entry point, compelling readers to journey through the pages with reverence and reflection.

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