To celebrate the film Selma and its two Oscar nominations today, here's a rare collection of Selma March photos by participant James Barker. The Smithsonian has Barker's back story:
"My involvement was more of a participant observer, not a press person looking from the outside thinking what kind of story can a photo generate… My photographs dwell on individuals, and it takes a number of my pictures for people to understand the message of it.
Barker is best known for his photography of Yup'ik Eskimo culture. Read how he got tapped to join the Selma March and how his frantic rush to get there led to his contribution to civil rights history.
• These Rare Photos of the Selma March Place You in the Thick of History
