Question 1

True or false: Parks also directed the blaxploitation film 'Shaft' in 1971.

Accepted Answer

True. He directed the iconic 'Shaft,' making him the first major Black director in Hollywood cinema.

Question 2

True or false: Parks began his photography career after buying a camera at a pawn shop for $7.50.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1937, he saw photos of migrant workers, bought a used camera, and taught himself photography.

Question 3

True or false: Gordon Parks was the first Black photographer to work at Life magazine.

Accepted Answer

True. He joined Life in 1948 and became a pioneering staff photographer, breaking racial barriers in photojournalism.

Question 4

True or false: Gordon Parks was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1988.

Accepted Answer

True. President Ronald Reagan presented him with the National Medal of Arts in 1988 for his extraordinary contributions to photography, film, and music.

Question 5

True or false: Parks once worked as a professional basketball player before photography.

Accepted Answer

False. He played semi-professional basketball briefly but was never a professional player; he worked odd jobs like waiter and piano player.

Question 6

True or false: Gordon Parks was a self-taught pianist who never composed any classical music.

Accepted Answer

False. He actually composed classical works, including the ballet 'Martin' and a symphony, showing his musical versatility.

Question 7

True or false: Parks was a close friend of Malcolm X and photographed his funeral.

Accepted Answer

False. He photographed Malcolm X’s funeral, but they were not close friends; Parks captured the event as a photojournalist.

Question 8

True or false: Gordon Parks wrote only one novel in his lifetime, titled 'The Learning Tree.'

Accepted Answer

False. He wrote several books, including novels, memoirs, and poetry, with 'The Learning Tree' being his first.

Gordon Parks Trivia Questions