Whitney Bradshaw

In 2018, in response to the rise of a racist, sexist, xenophobic predator to the highest office in the land, the long history of silencing of womxn and girls, and in an effort to help propel the #metoo movement forward, I began making portraits of womxn screaming. Through this intersectional feminist social practice project, womxn have the opportunity to take up space and have their voices heard.

The process is important. I invite groups of womxn who don’t know one another to gather together, effectively expanding our community while providing support for one another as we bravely let out feelings that have been silenced or dismissed under the white supremacist patriarchy. I purposefully invite womxn who range in age, race, ethnicity, and ability in an effort to bridge divides and allow for a truly intersectional feminist space that encourages empathy. The sessions include 5-25 womxn and last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. They are empowering, therapeutic, and fun.

There is a broad range of reasons why womxn engage with OUTCRY. Many participate to let out anger and frustration with the political climate and their experience living as womxn in a sexist, racist, ableist, and homophobic society. Others come to practice speaking up and out for themselves or to expand their community and connect with womxn in a brave and safe space. Many participants share personal stories about sexual harassment, sexual assault, silencing, and experiences with omnipresent microaggressions. The participants are never required to share their reasons for participating and always have the choice to scream alone or with the group’s support.

I began this project on the night of the Women’s March in 2018. Since then, I have photographed over 400 womxn letting it all out. Together these intimate representations of our power and expression become a monumental act of collective resistance. With Roe recently overturned and womxn’s rights stripped away by SCOTUS, OUTCRY has taken on new meaning and is now more critical than ever.