Much of what happens to us in youth unwittingly colours the rest of our lives, whether we like it or not. And one person exploring that often frantic view of inclusion is Palestinian artist Ibrahem Hasan with his empowering new anthology, Love Is Why, that smoulders under the gripping sphere of Black identity and representation.

Marginalised voices crackle Hasan’s vision into life—with an equally poignant manifesto to match, conceived to raise funds to purchase laptops for the Brooklyn Democracy Academy (BDA)—but it’s when he chronicles his past that the true vulnerability and power of his photographs is felt. “There are a lot of challenges coming from those parts of the world,” examines Hasan. “Growing up I was always struggling to find a good balance between the East and the West. The whole culture and awareness in Chicago are centred around colours, boundaries, signs and warnings of how not to get jumped when we would go out. Ironically it wasn’t much different when I would be in Palestine. So, I grew up with my eyes wide open, and always paid attention to my surroundings, which naturally made me curious about everything, and as a result, it gave me the ability to live freely and without fear.” In other words, it’s been a fairly tough ride for the creative. Because, as well all know, Black and Brown people have been extremely dehumanised (and stigmatised) by racist thinking from white people. “In Chicago, gang culture was and is a big thing so instead of getting in trouble, I would just occupy myself with making, building, learning and being creative,” he reckons. “I seek to find the connection between humanity and cultural nuances within art, fashion, and music in an effort to maintain authenticity in my work.”

As a Black Italian person, there is a profound affinity to simply hearing Hasan’s words in a context where diversity should be nurtured regardless of origin or background. To some, it’s common knowledge; but others find it hard labour. Which is why, as we continue to engage in a path of change and liberalism, we also need to broaden our gaze and acknowledge the brilliance of Black creators. The thought-provoking, cross-country photo book urges a wholly original approach to elevating Black narratives—and mentorship—of Brownsville’s community (a place where the students of BDA lost their principal Dez-Ann Romain to COVID-19, at 36), all while documenting the joys and hardships of the Black experience.

Here, the Palestinian-American photographer caught up with Vogue to unpack community culture, representation and empathy.

ON STORYTELLING

“Preserving our stories and making sure we have outlets is the focus. Now it’s become my duty to tell the stories of the unrepresented. The 512-page book serves as a collaborative, non-linear, storytelling device. A montage of text and images creating a conversation through the teachings of my four Black mentors as a kid amid inspiration from Malcolm X. The book draws on contributions from friends, colleagues, and strangers.”

ON UPLIFTING BLACK VOICES

This is the preface from Love Is Why:

Dear Malcolm X, Djuan Smith, Lewis “Books”, Record Sam, Taco, and the Black community: This is my thank you. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for the teachings. Thank you for listening. I was born Muslim at a time when the faith was something you practiced but didn’t broadcast. That changed when I discovered Malcolm X’s teachings. He was a man who relinquished his ego and submitted himself to Islam with pride. I chased that strength—I stopped answering to “Abe” and embraced my birth name, Ibrahem. I found myself in his legacy. I choose to live my life in Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) footsteps and fight the system in Malcolm’s. Djuan Smith - my Muslim older brother. He put me onto the game - music production, equipment (MPC3000, 950, rhodes), hiphop, records. He saw something in me when I didn’t. He protected me in many ways. Lewis “Books” - the book dealer. He introduced me to Malcolm X, and gave me his autobiography which altered my life. “Record” Sam - a record collector/dealer and the catalyst for my knowledge of music. My collection is in his name. Taco - a regular on Maxwell Street. He just came with so much soul, love and life. 

All these Black men impacted my life at a young age. I met them on Maxwell Street, an open-air market on the South Side and the birthplace of Chicago Blues. It’s where I learned about Fred Hampton, the Tuskegee experiment, Sun Ra, the Chicago riots, the Black Panthers. Our conversations would drift from Basquiat to police brutality, Kahlil Gibran to Coltrane, segregation to the “white man”. They taught me what school didn’t. This book is made to live forever. It’s the visualization of those conversations, the teachings I had as a kid growing up on the South Side of Chicago, powered by Black voices. We don’t know how history will play out or which stories will be written and preached as gospel. I want these pages to resonate with future generations who pick it up when questioning whatever history is being taught. 

Love is the reason we do what we do.

It’s the reason we fight every day. 

Love Is Why.”

ON CHARITABLE CAUSES

“Last year, amid the height of the pandemic, I read an article in the New York Times that deeply affected me. Those words acted as a catalyst and made me want to begin my book. 100% of the proceeds of Love Is Why will go to purchasing laptops for the Brooklyn Democracy Academy. BDA is a transfer high school for over-age and under-credited students in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Last year their students lost their beloved principal Dez-Ann Romain to COVID. She was 36-years-old. Working with BDA’s Dean and its community leader Doyle LaShawn, we plan to distribute all laptops directly to the students. Many kids in schools that are under-funded don’t necessarily have the tools to succeed. The little gesture of getting them laptops could go a long way, lead to opening up worlds for them, and maybe put them on a career path that they never thought was possible. These kids have dreams, they just need resources to fulfil those dreams. That’s why the laptops really serve a bigger purpose—this entire project comes back to the importance of mentorship.”

ON HOPES FOR MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES

“My hopes are that this project could potentially ignite people of colour to do things that preserve their stories and continue to help marginalised communities grow as a storytelling device, whether that’s through charitable actions, or just being there and speaking to one another. Conversation.”

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Ibrahem Hasan’s Love Is Why can be purchased here. All proceeds will be used to provide the students of the Brooklyn Democracy Academy with laptops.