Radio

Dec 17, 2024 ∞

Black-and-white photo: six Black men outside of what seems to be an eatery of some kind in New York City. Four are wearing glasses. Two are wearing light-colored suits, i.e., their work uniforms, with white smocks tied around their waists. Three of the others have suits of other colors, and hats typical of American men in 1940s movies. One portly man has on a grid-patterned shirt, long sleeves and collar. One of the two workers is seated on a wooden crate turned upright. Next to him is a portable radio (maybe 18 inches wide by 12 inches tall and 8 inches deep). He's got one hand on the radio and is pointing at it with the other. Two other men are pointing at it. All are leaning in, engaged with the program, some smiling and perhaps about to speak.

The caption reads, “Residents listening to radio outside storefront, circa late 1940s.” There are some signs and goods visible, but they’re too small to make out. The uniforms with white smocks of two of the men suggest food.

Source: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division (Street Scenes, Harlem, 1940s), New York Public Library Digital Collections, image ID 1800852.