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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Public outrage sparks from Gordon Parks' photos of a boy in Brazilian slums

In1961, Gordon Parks photographed South America’s poorest neighborhoods for Life magazine. While shooting in a Rio De Janeiro slum, Parks met 12-year-old Flávio da Silva.

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By Madeleine Brand • Jul 25, 2019 • 1 min read

In1961, Gordon Parks photographed South America’s poorest neighborhoods for Life magazine. While shooting in a Rio De Janeiro slum, Parks met 12-year-old Flávio da Silva. He took photos of the boy carrying 40-pound jugs of water, feeding his infant siblings, and having violent asthma attacks. The images sparked a global conversation about representation in the media and exploitation. They're on display now at the Getty's temporary exhibition: "Gordon Parks: The Flávio Story."

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    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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    Michell Eloy

    Line Editor, Press Play

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    Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir

    Associate producer

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    Carolina Miranda

    culture critic and author of KCRW’s Art Insider newsletter

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