Lt. "Wild Bill" William Walker and Lt. George Knox 332nd Fighter Group, Selfridge Field, Michigan ("A guy like Bill has got to come in—Let's wait a while longer.") 1943

This sepia toned image by Gordon Parks captures Lt. William Walker and Lt. George Knox at Selfridge Field, Michigan. The men are seated in front of a plane bearing a star emblem. It has a snapshot feel. I wonder about the “waiting”. There’s something about this image that feels like a rehearsal, like they are in between takes, or, in between missions. It feels like a moment caught in-between. It’s a very human moment. I like to imagine that it's a moment of pause. Parks seems to be suggesting an entire narrative in a single frame. Think of that! They’re embodying all of the anxieties and tensions of the moment—an emotional and psychological portrait of an individual within the landscape of war. It is a testament to the power of observation. Parks documented American life and culture, focusing on social justice, race relations, and the civil rights movement. His work offers a unique blend of photojournalism and artistic expression, using his camera as a tool for social change. It’s a profound statement about identity, history, and representation.