Odyssey Sits With Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist Robert Cohen | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Odyssey Sits With Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist Robert Cohen

126
Odyssey Sits With Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist Robert Cohen
Robert Cohen

I recently received the opportunity to sit down with St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Robert Cohen. If you aren't familiar with his work, Robert Cohen (below) is one of the photographers who covered the 2014 Ferguson riots.

The riots in Ferguson, Missouri began the night of Aug. 9, 2014, after the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown at the hands of Ferguson police. Brown was killed after a struggle with police officer Darren Wilson. After the shooting, riots and protests broke out across the small suburb of St. Louis, speaking out against the injustice of yet another killing of an unarmed black man and triggering the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement. During the protests, police were seen shooting tear gas and mace into crowds of the protesters.

This photo is of Edward Crawford (AKA Skeeda) throwing a tear gas canister back into the crowd of police–taken by Robert Cohen.

The image went viral after it was posted online and can now be found on t-shirts, flags, tattoos, and so much more.



The image is a reminder to all of us, that those in the Black Lives Matter movement and the protesters in Ferguson are no different that those of us who are not, we are American. We are all fighting for our rights, we're all trying to fight back to protect our rights.

It's hard to imagine that one picture could represent so much, but somehow Robert Cohen managed to do it.

How, you ask? I did.

Cohen: I tell people that's a picture that should not have been shot because, we shouldn't have been there. It was the end of the day, we'd been tear gassed on the tenth and the eleventh. On the night of the twelfth it looked like it was going to be the first night things were going to end peacefully. The protesters were gathered in front of the Quiktrip and you have a line of protesters and a line of police. One of the protest leaders got on the bullhorn and said, "I want everyone to get in a single file line and we're going to leave here with dignity." And that's exactly what they did. They got up and started watching north. While we were out there we tried to work in teams for safety reasons. I was with our photographer, Chris Lee. I looked at Chris and he looked at me because we both knew that if this goes down the way it looks like it's going to we're going to be able to get home and get some sleep. Every night before we were getting home and two or three in the morning. I told Chris I was going to go up and watch the protesters as they got to the last road block. Just to make sure they pass through safely. Once they're through we'll go ahead and go home. About 20 protesters hopped into two pickup trucks just to sort of ride out. Once they got to the last road block there was a huge crowd of other protesters. I saw that and knew there was no way they were going to leave. And they didn't. They all got out and started protesting again. The police were ready to shut down for the night more or less and came out with their armor trucks. That's where the picture happened. All the other journalists stayed at the Quick Trip area. Nobody followed this group up it was just another group of people leaving. There were only about three or four other journalists at this location with Chris and I. Had we stayed at the active location where all the other journalists had the picture wouldn't have never happened. It was not one of those pictures in the heart of the protests; in the middle of everything.

Odyssey: Since this isn't your first experience with the Pulitzer prize (he was a finalist once before in 2010 for his work in a St. Louis suburban hotel and the homeless people living there), has your life changed at all?

Cohen: It's been busier. So many people are still interested in this story. I'm surprised that people will still call or email to see if I'll participate in something for this. I'm surprised the interest is still there a year removed.

It's not hard to see why people are still interested. Cohen and his team's work shows how serious the situation in St. Louis was and still is. The images documented by the Post-Dispatch highlight something we love to avoid in this state. There is a huge racial disparity here and these images will make it impossible to forget.

Cohen and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's work during the Ferguson riots won the 2015 Pulitzer prize. Here are a couple of shots from that work (by Cohen) that I found the most impressive.


Odyssey would like to thank St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Robert Cohen for sharing their work and time with us.

Follow Robert on Twitter @kodacohen

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

184989
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11301
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455309
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24994
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments