By Mariame Kaba

Editor’s note: Praxis Center is thrilled to feature the photographs of Sarah Jane Rhee on our home page for the month of February.

If you are at a protest or action in Chicago, you can’t miss her. She’s the one with the camera in her hands wearing a t-shirt in the summer and bubble coat in winter. I first saw Sarah Jane Rhee at a protest. We weren’t yet friends but I watched her running ahead of the march and then saw her blending into the crowd. I was struck by her calm energy and efficient manner. Later, when I saw her photographs from that protest, I was struck by all that she had documented and even more by all that I had missed. I wanted to know this woman who had such a keen eye and seemed to use it to capture us at our best.

Years later, I consider Sarah to be one of my people, one of my most trusted comrades and friends. When Praxis asked me to write something to introduce their readers to Sarah and her work, I jumped at the chance. Sarah and I don’t usually talk about her photographs. We are more likely to exchange Facebook messages and calls about ordering pizza for a meeting or about exchanging keys to her car or about a problem facing one of our common friends.

Last week, I spoke to Sarah on the phone about her photography and social justice. (more…)