Photos Documenting Adversity

Since the early 1970s, Camilo J. Vergara has photographed low-income and racially-segregated African American communities in postindustrial cities. His images reveal the many obstacles they must overcome.

*Trayvon Martin, Livonia Ave. and Jerome St., Brooklyn, New York, 2015.*

*Boys carrying musical instruments, Fifth Ave. and 110th St., East Harlem, New York, 1970.*

*Sidewalk exhibition created by Dr. Jack Felder, 260 W 125th St., Harlem, New York, 2010.*

*Arrest scene, 441 Towne Ave., Skid Row, Central City East, Los Angeles, California, 2007.*

*Henry Horner Homes, 2051 W Lake St., Chicago, Illinois, 1995.*

*Names of people killed in Harlem spray painted next to Unity in the Community, World’s Best Looking Sound logo, E 125th St. between Park Ave. and Lexington Ave., Harlem, New York, 1994.*

*W 79th St. and S Aberdeen St., Chicago, Illinois, 1999.*

*E Warren Ave. at Chene, Detroit, Michigan, 1994.*

View additional photos by Vergara depicting adversity experienced by African Americans. All of the photos are from the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division.

All of the photos in this guide are from the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. Camilo J. Vergara's photographs are used by permission of the photographer. For information on permissions and credit line, see the Camilo José Vergara Rights and Restrictions information page.

African American Communities in America's Cities: Photographs by Camilo J. Vergara

Prints & Photographs: Ask a Librarian

Photos Documenting Adversity