Misan Harriman on His Historic Vogue Cover

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: So, this cover is called “Activism Now.” And you would have to be under a rock not to understand the significance of this moment. And you have been all over London documenting the Black Lives Matter.

MISAN HARRIMAN, PHOTOGRAPHER: Yes.

AMANPOUR: This is an extraordinary image and an extraordinary statement, frankly.

HARRIMAN: Yes. Yes. That’s…

AMANPOUR: And it’s true. Why is ending racism even a debate?

HARRIMAN: It’s such a simple question. And I think that’s why that image has resonated with millions and millions of people. That was taken outside the U.S. Embassy, and…

AMANPOUR: Here in London.

HARRIMAN: Here in London. And that young woman, Darcy Bourne, is England under 21 hockey player, an elite athlete who went out there to make a statement about the biggest stain of modern man.

AMANPOUR: Why is it easy a debate?

HARRIMAN: Well, why is a question with many answers. But my observation, through my lens, I have seen the beating heart of London. I have seen young boys, young girls, all races, all religions stand in solidarity. People that didn’t understand that there was any kind of racism are educating themselves. People that have lived the experience, like myself, are not alone in licking our open wounds. And I feel that that’s a movement that can now never go backwards.

AMANPOUR: And talking about the diversity, I mean, there are obviously lots of these powerful images. I mean, that’s incredible, this young man, in solidarity with Nelson Mandela.

HARRIMAN: Yes.

HARRIMAN: And, also, that is the Public Enemy hip-hop album “Fear of a Black Planet,” with Madiba behind. I mean, those compositions, you can’t make up.

AMANPOUR: And then, this one, I mean, that’s, again a very, very powerful image. But you’re talking about the sort of Rainbow Nation, if you like, the people who are amongst the supporters of BLM, all sorts of colors, but this little boy in a wheelchair, that is so touching.

HARRIMAN: Yes.

AMANPOUR: It looks like his mother, who is..

HARRIMAN: I was looking at the edit at 4:00, and I just started crying. The — his mother is knelt down, holding his hand. She’s in tears. He’s looking with so much determination. And as you can tell, he is a young man with special needs and he has his own issues, but he felt he had to be there. Plus, there is a wall of mainly white hands punching the sky in solidarity.

AMANPOUR: That must be different too now.

HARRIMAN: It is. And I think we are one, and we have to move together as one. My imagery is about hope and solidarity.