Black Lives Matter
Through the lens of Steven Mclaren
Glasgow Green | 07-06-2020
“I felt a social responsibility as a BME Scottish photographer to document the event for the history books that we are writing now.”
— Steven Mclaren
“On the morning of the protest, I was anxious, I was nervous and eager to see what was going to happen. My past experience of protests had been varied, but potential conflict was in my mind. The fear of the racists was not enough to deter me, I had many a word with myself, considering also - that we were in the midst of a pandemic. I went through the notions of making an educated decision, but then I realised that I hadn’t waited 29 years to miss out on this, mask in tow - I had to go.”
“The speeches were all power, talking truths and sharing experiences”
“There was true love from the crowd and at points in Glasgow Green, it was silent. I stood in awe and as quickly I could hear a pin drop, the tide would change and a rapturous applause would wash in from the back of the park. A sound comparable to a thousand wheelie bins being pulled down an empty street, thunderous and otherworldly- the sound was incredible. One of the speakers couldn’t be seen by the crowd and like a ripple, from front to back everyone kneeled. I had goosebumps at the sight, it was absolutely awe inspiring to experience.”
“I took many more pictures throughout the demonstration and headed home with a feeling of satisfaction and gratitude. I felt powerful, like I had just witnessed, I was present in a pivotal moment in Scottish history. It’s a strange thought to comprehend, but in those hours in Glasgow Green I felt more welcome than I had at any other moment in my life. It is one of those times I’ll never forget and I’m glad I answered the call to document the moment.”
Steven is an editorial and commercial photographer based in Glasgow. He studied photography in Fife and is an equality activist whose work centres around his lived experience as a queer BAME artist in Scotland. See more of his work here.