Goodbye, Grandma

On 15 July 2015 family and friends gathered at Beulah Church of God in Christ Jesus in Brooklyn, NY to celebrate the life and memory of my maternal grandmother, Gertrude McNair. I walked with my camera as I usually do when attending family gatherings and let my instincts guide when and what to shoot. At the end of the day I had a collection of photographs and video footage capturing the essence of my family’s grief and celebration.

Though I am not religious my grandmother was and some of my family still is. The funeral service was held in the manner of many black pentecostal funeral services: with scripture readings, singing, and a preacher delivering the eulogy. While this was an intensely personal experience it is also one many African-Americans have participated in. I decided to share this collection of photos and videos to provide an intimate look at how African-Americans of the pentecostal Christian persuasion traditionally mourn and celebrate our dead.

In light of all of the examples of people of color being dehumanized and even murdered in cold blood by those entrusted with our protection, I wanted to share my family’s experience. We are not a well-known family born into connections or propelled to the international spotlight due to the circumstances of our loved one’s death. We are everyday people privately living our lives. But on this day I choose to pull back the curtain for just a moment and allow the world in, because seeing into a culture is a good way to see the humanity of those who are a part of that culture.

Anyone who grew up in the black pentecostal church like I did is familiar with how church keyboardists accompany preachers when their sermon reaches a fever pitch. For those who are not familiar, here is an excerpt of Apostle Jones delivering the eulogy and being accompanied on the organ by Elder Johnathan Chapple, Jr.

Preparing for the recessional.