Playing Catchup: November Shots

(My Instagram feed @justnlstewart)
Following images ©Justin L. Stewart. Do not use without proper licensing. 


November was my most exhausting month by far. Mizzou became national news after graduate student Jonathan Butler went on a hunger strike. I spent every hour I could that week, trying to document things as they progressed. I worked every day straight for about 12 days, spending approximately 10 hours a day documenting this.

I got Jonathan's permission to document him throughout the process, though as media attention grew and the group struggled to keep up with the rising demands on them, he withdrew from the public eye and I lost my access.

After that, I stuck with the group, having to gain trust from new people every day. I traveled to KC on a second's notice with protestors and they went to protest a fundraiser UM President Tim Wolfe was attending. I spent hours sitting in the tent camp. I explained myself and what I was doing over and over and over. I was berated by an irate faculty member at the end of the week who I hadn't seen around before, a woman who wouldn't give me a moment to explain myself, yelling over everything I said. The two students present, and a board of curators member, all apologized later for that person's actions.

I've never been as emotionally taxed and physically worn down as I was during this coverage. It was hard to be silent and constantly in the middle of everything, fighting to not be labeled as "the MEDIA" and to be dealing with all the chaos as a student as well. Rome was burning and it was hard to know what to do. It hurt on a lot of levels, but it taught me so much and made me grow in so many ways. I'll never forget that week.

If you want to see my edit of the story, it's available HERE on my website. You can also see my work from this on TIME's Lightbox along with a couple of my friends.

There was some other work I did that month, but this was the bulk of my focus and I was given free reign on it due to the access I had obtained.

There's some other shots in here too. Thanks for reading and taking the time to look.

MU doctoral student Reuben Faloughi, center, yells through a megaphone during a walkout at Memorial Union on Thursday. Protestors marched through MU buildings that "make money" for the university, including Memorial Union and the MU Student Center. 

Members of MU's Legion of Black Collegians and Concerned Student 1950 supporters cry and hug during an emotional part of a protest on Saturday, November 7, 2015. The students voiced their concerns and told stories of racism on campus at each location. 

A student tells University of Missouri Board of Curators member David L. Steelman that she feels less safe on campus than she does back in Chicago during Steelman's brief visit to the Concerned Student 1950 tent camp.

The Concerned Student 1950 tent camp continues to grow as a spotlight from a KPLR 11 news van shines a spotlight on the camp.

A group of mothers came to the tent camp to help organize and cleanup the place mid-way through the week. There was a constant influx of donations from various people around Columbia, bringing food, water, blankets, tarps and other things to help out the students camping out on Mel Carnahan Quadrangle. 

Two trucks bearing the label "True Country Roadside Care" fly a Confederate flag, two United States flags and a POW/MIA flag as they speed by the Concerned Student 1950 campsite on the Mel Carnahan Quadrangle on Sunday evening. The trucks drove by once without stopping. The drivers, 21 and 22-years-old, who asked not to be identified, said they were unaware of the protests happening on campus and were out enjoying the weather. They said the Confederate flag represented rebellion to them.

                                 A person walks by the Concerned Student 1950 tent camp Sunday evening. The camp almost doubled in size the day after the Missouri football team backed the group's boycott. Players on Saturday night vowed not to play another game until UM System President Tim Wolfe resigned. A statement from coach Gary Pinkel said the team would not practice until Jonathan Butler ends his hunger strike.                             

Kelley Hoskin of KPLR 11 in St. Louis edits a video in the back of her news van of student body president Payton Head discussing the racial climate on campus from earlier in the day. Head was previously called the N-word while walking through Greek Town with his boyfriend.

People gather for a prayer circle next to the tent camp. The circles, which occurred every night at 10 p.m., grew in size each time. This was the final prayer circle, held the night before UM President Tim Wolfe resigned.

Students link arms to keep media out of their "safe space" as photojournalist Tim Tai argues his right to be there documenting the event after UM President Tim Wolfe resigned.

Professor Melissa Click patrols the edge of the "safe space" where students have linked arms to keep media away from the Concerned Student tent camp. Click would later be remembered for a viral video showing her infringing on the media's right to be there and her confrontation with student photojournalist Tim Tai.

Tim Wolfe announces his resignation Nov. 9 after escalating events involving protesters. Wolfe's resignation brought the end of Jonathan Butler's hunger strike and Concerned Student 1950's camp out in Mel Carnahan Quadrangle.

Tim Wolfe reacts after announcing his resignation Nov. 9 after escalating events involving protesters. Wolfe's resignation brought the end of Jonathan Butler's hunger strike and Concerned Student 1950's camp out in Mel Carnahan Quadrangle.

The original 11 members of Concerned Student 1950 hold a press conference Nov. 9 after the resignation of UM System President Tim Wolfe. The group named themselves after year the first African-American student who was admitted to the university in 1950.                             

Groundskeepers talk for a moment after repairing the ground on Mel Carnahan Quadrangle where the Concerned Student 1950 tent camp rested for a week.

Students sit among empty tables at MU's Student Center after death threats aimed at black students on social media Tuesday night created a stir and made some students feel unsafe attending classes Wednesday. Various businesses near campus closed and some events were canceled

Chancellor R . Bowen Loftin stands inside the main doors of his office in Jesse Hall Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.Mizzou's campus had been a mess since Monday when both the UM System President Tim Wolfe and the Chancellor announced their resignations from their positions with the president's taking effect immediately. Loftin will transfer to another position within MU Jan. 1, 2016.

                                 Interim UM System President Michael Middleton speaks at his introductory news conference Thursday at University Hall. Middleton was the first black professor in the MU School of Law. More recently, he served as deputy chancellor until his retirement on Aug. 31. 

Alexandria Owens dances to music on the stage inside the Jesse Hall auditorium Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 in Columbia, Mo. The "We're Not Afraid March" led the group through greek town before making its way to the auditorium in Jesse Hall where people spoke about the power students have to create change before dancing to music on the stage.

People listen to Jonathan Butler as he speaks at the end of  a march in the auditorium inside of Jesse Hall in Columbia, Mo. Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. The "We're Not Afraid March" led the group through greek town before making its way to the auditorium in Jesse Hall where people spoke about the power students have to create change before dancing to music on the stage.

People march through greek town on MU's campus with the Concerned Student 1950 group from the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center to the auditorium inside of Jesse Hall in Columbia, Mo. Nov. 13, 2015. The "We're Not Afraid March" led the group through greek town before making its way to the auditorium in Jesse Hall where people spoke about the power students have to create change before dancing to music on the stage.

The USS Aries, a decommissioned Navy hydrofoil used to catch drug runners on the high seas, has languished on the Grand River at Brunswick for 18 years. The ship has been moved to a shipyard on the Gasconade River by its owners, who aspire to make it a mobile museum. 

Missouri wide receiver J'Mon Moore yells after an incomplete pass Friday during the first quarter of the Tigers game against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Arkansas.                             

Freshman punter Corey Fatoney warms up as kicker Andrew Baggett watches during the Arkansas game. 

Runningback Russell Hansbrough walks of the Arkansas field after MU's 28-3 loss in their final game of the season and Gary Pinkel's final game as head coach. The team ended their season with a 5-7 record, being 1-7 in the SEC conference.

Tennessee and Missouri fans tailgate in 35-degree weather Saturday outside an entrance to the parking garage at Tiger Avenue and Hospital Drive in Columbia. Missouri football head coach Gary Pinkel will be coaching his final home game Saturday against the Tennessee Volunteers. 

Playing Catchup: October Shots

(My Instagram feed @justnlstewart)
Following images ©Justin L. Stewart. Do not use without proper licensing. 

Here's a collection of selects from the month of October. Crazy how much can be shot in a month. Sorry I don't have more energy to whittle down the selection a little more, but some of the images are also photos that would never get to see the light of day if I didn't throw them up now, so that's how I'll excuse myself.

One of the things I focused on during this month was how to better harness available light. It was also the month that my shoots started pulling me more into the racial issues on the University of Missouri's campus.

I think the most important thing that clicked for me this month was just taking photographs for myself. It's so easy for me to be on assignment and to suffer from a tunnel vision of sorts, ignoring anything else that interests me as I focus on the task at hand. "That's not what I'm here for so it's obviously of no use." It's important to take those photos for yourself, to keep bending to your creative intuition, even if it's not a part of your shoot list.

So, here's some photos from October. Next up, November.

A Virginia creeper hangs from trees Thursday near Cooper's Landing as the Missouri River flows in the background. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the vine is a member of the grape family, and the fruit it bears in the fall is eaten by birds and deer. 

Students sit on the floor of Jesse Hall during a Black Lives Matter study-in Tuesday. The Black Lives Matter study hall was held after a racial slur was said by a student who interrupted a Legion of Black Collegians Royalty Court rehearsal early Monday morning.

People dance at the Eskapade official homecoming after party, hosted by the University of Missouri's Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho Friday night during Black Homecoming, Oct. 9, 2015 in Columbia, Mo. at the VFW Post 280. The alternative homecoming was created in response to a social divide at the university, which included a football tradition of the marching band playing "Dixie" with the crowd singing along as a confederate flag was waved. The first Black Homecoming was held in 1988.

Shane Riley, a conductor and engineer for COLT railroad, controls a locomotive. Riley's wife works in an office and doesn't have to deal with getting hot or cold or not having a bathroom handy, he said. "I'd rather do this and get a little dirty," Riley said.

A COLT railroad locomotive powers its way toward Centralia on Oct. 15. Shane Riley, an engineer and conductor, said the locomotive was probably built in the late '60s. "This old locomotive's been around a long time," Riley said.

Bulldogs fan Michael Davenport draws a picture with markers using his mouth before the Mizzou vs. Georgia game in downtown Athens, Ga. Davenport lost both his arms in an electrical accident at age 13.

From left, Stafford Varnedoe, 3, and her sister, Mary Mobley Varnedoe, 8, draw a cheer sign on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, GA, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Georgia played the University of Missouri for Georgia's homecoming game, which Georgia won 9-6.

Josh Herrera lets Lance Christian Parker, 6, try on his helmet as the child's father, Roy Parker, takes a photo on Saturday in Athens, Georgia. Herrera walks around campus to tailgates taking photos with anyone who asks.

Fans wait for the Dawg Walk before the start of the game in Athen, GA, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. MU played the University of Georgia.

Missouri center Evan Boehm walks to the field before kickoff against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.                             

Missouri safety Ian Simon intercepts the ball on the first play against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday at Stanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. 

Sony Michel is tackled by Ian Simon. MU played the University of Georgia in Athen, GA, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015.

Missouri linebacker Kentrell Brothers, left, and Michael Sherer, right, tackle Georgia tailback Sony Michel on Saturday in Athens, Georgia.                             

Skyler Roundtree, bottom, and Jasmine Wells, right, write "Declaration of Independence" on sticky notes Tuesday on the bench next to the Thomas Jefferson statue on Francis Quadrangle. The counterprotest was held after a protest two weeks ago brought attention to a petition on Change.org asking for the removal of the statue because it "perpetuates a sexist-racist atmosphere." 

Jessica Corkill looks out of her aunt Dawna Mavel's garage door during a garage sale at Mavel's house in Ashland on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Corkill, her mother, Melba Wells, and her aunt, Debi Johnson, talked in the garage as customers wandered in and out. Corkill was selling items that didn't sell in a previous garage sale, making room in her house for her first baby, Harper, a girl, who is due November 19th. 

A Vanderbilt star in the Vandyville tailgating area is covered by leaves Saturday. The Missouri Tigers plays Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Commodores' Homecoming.

Marc Menke of Huntsville, Alabama, cooks up bacon sliders, bratwurst, pork loins and meatballs at a Vanderbilt Homecoming tailgate Saturday. Menke, a Vanderbilt fan, said he's only missed five home games in 17 years.

Solo cups and a football rest on a beer pong table in the Vandyville tailgate area in Nashville, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, during Vanderbilt's homecoming pre-game festivities. 

Missouri fans and cheerleaders wait for the start of the MU vs Vanderbilt game in Nashville, TN Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. MU played Vanderbilt during their homecoming.

Cam Hilton returns a punt during the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Quarterback Kyle Shurmur is tackled by Thomas Wilson during the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Linebacker Michael Scherer stares at the ground during a timeout in the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Defensive back Logan Cheadle drops an interception during the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN. 

Defensive lineman Charles Harris celebrates a sack and forced fumble late in the second quarter of Missouri's game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Lofting walks towards MU's locker room after they lost 10-3 against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Darrius Sims celebrates a 10-3 win over Missouri during homecoming Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in Nashville, TN.

Two teenagers from Sturgeon, Missouri, were transported to hospitals on Tuesday morning after the driver lost control of his white Mustang and overturned on Highway 124 near Harrisburg, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. The driver, Carl Shaver, 16, and his passenger, Brandy Wadtananussorn, a 15-year-old girl, were on their way to Harrisburg High School when the vehicle, traveling west, went off the shoulder of the road and rolled, said Chief Gale Blomenkamp, public information officer for the Boone County Fire Protection District.

Michelle Butler sinks a put during a putting game at practice at the Old Hawthorne golf course in Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. 

Michelle Butler laughs while practicing putting with teammates on the putting green at the Old Hawthorne golf course in Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.

Firefighters water down the smoldering remains of a trailer at 4130 Lenoir street outside of Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015. 

A teddy bear sits next to a garbage can near abandoned trailers as firefighters water down the smoldering remains of a trailer at 4130 Lenoir street outside of Columbia, Mo. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.