Can You Hear the Reggae in My Photographs?

Photographer and National Geographic Storytelling Fellow Ruddy Roye grew up in Jamaica, a cradle of reggae and social justice movements. He describes how that background prepared him to cover the historic protests and civil unrest in 2020, what he’s tackling in his new National Geographic project "When Living Is a Protest," and what he tells his sons about growing up in America. Want more? “This cycle makes me sick”: Ruddy Roye on documenting protests against systemic racism in America.    Learn more about the sensitive moments and vibrant portraits captured in Ruddy’s photos. Follow Ruddy on Instagram: @ruddyroye. Also explore: Meet trailblazers from Atlanta’s HBCUs and explore unique traditions like Market Friday and the House of Funk Marching Band. Ruddy reflects on the National Museum of African American History and Culture and its power to leave people “stunned as zombies.” See Ruddy’s portrait of a descendant of Nat Turner, whose 1831 rebellion struck fear throughout the slaveholding South.   And for paid subscribers: See the renaissance happening at historically Black colleges—a surge in enrollment and a new brand of African-American activism.