Anthony Ramos was among the earliest artists to use video as a tool for mass media critiques and cultural documentation, and to examine media presentations of "truth." In his powerful video works of the 1970s, Ramos combined art and activism, giving visibility to the experiences of marginalized groups, including Black Americans and those incarcerated for protesting the Vietnam War. In his earliest black-and-white video pieces, Ramos engaged in forceful, direct performances for the camera, often using physical endurance and actions to confront political issues.