The opening reception of the new Gordon Parks exhibition at Pace Gallery vividly reminded me of the first time I encountered his photography. I can’t recall the when and where of the exact moment, but I distinctly remember the sensation…

On a recent July night, RM47 lit up South Central Los Angeles with their infectious track “Buss It,” making a strong case for song of the summer. The audience's electric reaction suggested that Raleigh and MAAD were seasoned 90s veterans performing a cult classic, rather than millennial stars presenting a track released in May.

Are Black women constantly obsessing about the Male Gaze and the White Gaze? No. We are not a monolith and don’t all share the same exact anxieties, if any at all, about our appearances. But just know that when you encounter a Black girl or woman stressing about her outfit and hairstyle for a school or work event, there’s levels to this shit!

“Finding Soft Ground” combines portraiture, text, video, and more to highlight the lives of Black women and femmes in various physical and emotional environments, revealing the abnormality of normalized discomfort, aggression, and terror while spotlighting the critical spaces of care, sanctuary, and ease that often go unrecognized.

Black self-expression and self-perception have always been tools of liberation. When deciding on my Juneteenth outfit, I aimed to evoke enthusiasm, optimism, and joy. I wanted to be bold, loud in a celebratory way, to take up space. Enter: The Tango Midi Dyana dress from Sabby Lou Knit.

The soft, curves of the organza bodysuit and skirt paired perfectly with the famed Los Angeles building designed by architect Richard Meier, as did rocking an artsy look from a Black-owned brand and designed by a Black woman to a Black-centered art event.

Even during golden hour, the stunning panoramic Los Angeles views just couldn’t compete with the rich medley of melanin and style. We’d been invited to celebrate Black visual culture with the center’s African American Art History Institute (AAAHI) and—I’m so sorry to be that person, but—we clearly understood the assignment.

The exhibition, which closed on June 1, continues the visual conversations from his 2021 Studio Museum of Harlem residency, showcasing deeply tender portrayals of Black trans masculine identities in moments of grief, rest, contemplation, devotion, sexuality, and love.