Titus Brooks Heagins

Photo by Cornell Watson

“I’m in,” responded Cornell Watson when asked to photograph Titus Brooks Heagins, “He’s a Durham legend.” We couldn’t agree more. Titus is a photographer on a mission to shine light on those who often go unnoticed. We chatted:

Something that happened to you recently that you are still thinking about?

I was driving along Holloway St. enroute to make a portrait of someone. I turned three times, signaling properly each time, and was subsequently pulled over by the Durham Police cruiser behind me. Two officers approached my car, one to the driver side window, and the other on the passenger side, with his weapon drawn and pointed at my head. I asked why I was stopped. I was told a car similar to my Mini was reported stolen. He had my license and registration, so he knew that this was my car. I pressed him about why he stopped me. Eventually, he said that when he was behind me, I decided to turn. I replied that I had only turned in the direction I needed to go. I asked what I was to do when a police car was behind me. Should I keep driving straight and not go in the direction needed? He had no answer. I think of this each time I drive. I was lucky to have survived.

What is the biggest misconception about people living in poverty?

There are two misconceptions about people living in poverty. The first is that people in poverty don’t work. We fail to realize that one of the reasons there are inexpensive items available to the public is because certain jobs pay so little. If all people were paid a living wage, one of two things would happen. Either the small percentage of our population who own corporations would not enjoy as much wealth, or prices would have to rise. Unfortunately, these employees are considered unimportant or undeserving of wages that could support a standard of living above poverty. The second misconception is that they don’t have dreams for themselves, or their families. I remember growing up poor. I was watching TV that showed us how middle class whites lived. I remember my family driving through those neighborhoods, seeing those beautiful houses, and that entirely different way of life. We dreamed of a middle class life, not a rich life, but one where we could experience what it was like to have the simple things that most take for granted in this wealthy country. I dreamed of traveling to other countries. I dreamed of the accoutrements that define and expect respect.

We are approaching another election cycle; what would you say to future Representatives of Durham and North Carolina?

I would tell them to revisit Jessie Jackson’s 1988 Presidential campaign where he addressed the woes of the country. What was impressive was how he built a coalition of racialized/marginalized groups, including Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, LGBTQ, poor Whites, progressive Whites, working class folks, and farmers. His Works Progress Administration-style program to rebuild America was meant to provide jobs for all Americans. Today, politicians divide us by race and win by exclusion and loud banter.

Which of your recent photos would you like to share and why?

This photo is of Ashton, in Jackson, Mississippi. His mother died from an aggressive strain of cancer two months before he gave me this image. He and four siblings now live with his grandmother in this neighborhood where trees grow through the roofs of deserted houses, and abandoned cars fill the lawns and streets. When I met his family they were hosting a barbecue to raise money for the American Cancer Society by selling sandwiches for $2.00! Their house had so little furniture that there was nowhere for me to sit, except the floor. Imagine being that poor and still finding the means to help others who are in jeopardy of losing family to this terrible disease. The rich should be ashamed as they drive around in their $400K cars while the poor suffer so much. One day we’ll all pay because, for many, this system called capitalism is just another form of slavery.

Ashton by Titus Brooks Heagins, Jackson, Mississippi.

Success is__________.

Success is freedom to go unmolested where you want, to be the best you can be, and to love whomever you choose!

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