Coronation & Revolt

Essay 111 • Feb 2nd 2017

Only a month in, 2017 is already loaded with history. January 20th ushered in a new era of change, followed a day later by a new era of opposition across the world.

Inauguration Day was made all the more surreal by its contrast to Obama's first inauguration, a peaceful transition of power that had previously represented nothing but happy optimistic feelings for many. All of the debates, arguments, SNL performances, and "fake" vs "real" news could not prepare me for the emotions I felt walking onto the Nation's Capital Mall for the new administration.

The day began with a cloud of uncertainty, and ended in chaos, with over 200 arrests. Violent protesters destroyed property and got into scuffles with police, symbolizing the apocalyptic ending that many fear.

But just one day later, instead of clouds, a ray of sunshine emerged in the form of protests and marches that spanned the globe. The overall peaceful gathering of many displayed the disapproval of the new administration, and the sense that the country's fate was not set in stone.

DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_002
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_039
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_041DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_160
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_083
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_116
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_143
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_162
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_188
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_178
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_169DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_215
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_279
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_354
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_390
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_410
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_418
DBP_INAUGURATION_DAY_425
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_070DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_085
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_012
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_025
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_030
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_048
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_091DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_136
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_118
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_182
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_187
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_195DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_198
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_223
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_236
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_245
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_247
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_254DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_275
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_299
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_321
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_336DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_401
DBP_WOMANS_MARCH_429

 

Don Brodie is a first generation American by way of Jamaican parents from outside of Washington, DC.

Although a lot of Brodie’s work revolve around his culture, his projects also reflect growing up in a diverse America and experiences collected from a vast amount of world travel.

He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

Instagram