Emancipation Producer Apologizes for ‘Whipped Peter’ Photograph Controversy

“Emancipation” producer Joey McFarland has apologized after dealing with criticism for bringing {a photograph} of an enslaved man often known as “Whipped Peter,” which served as an inspiration for the movie, to the Los Angeles premiere.

“I wholeheartedly apologize to everybody I’ve offended by bringing {a photograph} of Peter to the ‘Emancipation’ premiere,” McFarland wrote in a press release on his Instagram posted Sunday afternoon. “My intent was to honor this exceptional man and to remind most of the people that his picture not solely led to change in 1863 however nonetheless resonates and promotes change immediately.”

McFarland was met with widespread criticism after revealing that he was carrying the unique 1863 {photograph} of the enslaved man often known as “Whipped Peter,” whose actual identify was Gordon, whereas talking with Selection on the movie’s premiere. The picture of the scars on Gordon’s again have been extensively circulated on the time, exposing the brutality of slavery to the U.S. inhabitants.

“I’ve the picture. That is the unique {photograph} from 1863. I wished it to be right here tonight. I wished a bit of Peter to be right here tonight,” McFarland stated Wednesday on the premiere.

“I hope my actions didn’t distract from the movie’s message, Peter’s story and simply how a lot impression he had on the world,” McFarland’s apology continues. “All through the analysis and improvement of ‘Emancipation,’ I found images of ignored and traditionally necessary people whose tales additionally wanted to be informed. One {photograph}, of Martin Delaney, is on mortgage to the Nationwide Portrait Gallery and at present on exhibit. My plan was at all times to donate the pictures to the suitable establishment, in session with the group, and I imagine there isn’t a higher time to start that course of than now.

Learn McFarland’s assertion beneath.