In this photo being presented, the audience can clearly see an African American in a bright blue shirt with his hands up towards a group of heavily armed military style looking police officers. This photo was taken during the Ferguson protests that were occurring after the death of the unarmed teenager, Michael Brown. In fact, this is one of the most famous photos that ended up being taken during that time. It has been seen by practically everyone and has been displayed in all types of media. However, this particular photo has a much deeper meaning to it than most people tend to realize.
For instance, if the audience were to just analyze the picture a little more closely they can see what the photographer is trying to demonstrate to them. By
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With the use of contrast, the photographer allows the viewer to move around the photo and keep them to remain interested. One thing that captures the attention of the audience is the “fuck the police” phrase spray painted in white against a blue mail carrier. Although it is a very derogatory statement, it has a much more deeper meaning behind it. This phrase represents the fight that African Americans have been dealing with for decades now against police brutality and the injustice they face. Also, it’s a cry for help, all these people want is for the police brutality to end and to be treated with the respect they deserve. They are hurt and tired of having to fight for the exact same things that their ancestors before them have had to fight for. The sole reason that this statement became such a popular phrase was due to the famous rap group N.W.A. These individuals created the song “Fuck Tha Police”, which discussed the police brutality that young African American men face. This song was released in the late 1980’s, but still to this very day it’s still very relatable to what has been occurring as of late in our society. In fact, the majority of the protest that have been occurring are seen to be using this phrase quite …show more content…
This photo is a representation of how the troubles that the African Americans faced during the Civil Rights movement is no different to what they are fighting against today. Overall, it’s practically a representation of history repeating itself, which should not even be allowed to happen in the first place. The African American in this photo, according to the Huffington Post, was charged with “interfering” with the duties of the police officers. However, how can a harmless unarmed man disrupt the performance of heavily armed police officers. This further proves the injustice these individuals face, which is what the message in this photo really is.
In the end, our society needs to realize that everyone is created equally, no individual is greater than the other. We as all breathe the same air, come from the same creator, and bleed the same blood. The faster we realize this simple concept the better because how can a society progress when it doesn’t even accept it’s own
The struggle of oppression and social injustice in recent news media reports of unarmed black males regularly shot in routine traffic stops,
When our parents tell us to “address the police by sir or ma’am, sit up straight, and don’t move too quickly, we ask ourselves why? It is in that moment we realize it is because that the world does not love us and wants us dead. This epiphany hardens us and strips us of our innocence and ability to float through the world. We are weighed down by the weight of hatred towards blacks. Our only chance of being able to free our minds is to live without fear of judgement, and without fear of persecution. Because if we do, we will always be looking behind our backs, overanalysing everything that is said to us, second guessing the work that we do, and never truly be able to trust the
As civilization has evolved, expanded, and changed over the course of human history, there has always been conflict between the proverbial “us and them.” So long as there has been social interactions between groups of humans, there have been differences in features, cultures, religions, and many other aspects that have been used as the justification and fuel for bias and conflict. Since early in our species existence we have relied heavily on violence as a reaction to difference and change, and as we travel through history towards present day, we see that groups have always sought to expand their control over others in a belief that they were dominant or superior. It is only recently that the idea of equality-for-all has gained support and
“69% of the victims of police brutality in the United States who are African-American/Black were suspected of a non-violent crime and were unarmed (Mapping Police Violence).” All American Boys by Jason Reynolds shows that assuming people will be some way based on their appearances isn’t fair. In the story, Rashad Butler was a victim to police brutality because of how he looked in an accident. Rashad Butler is one of the main characters in the book, he was a basketball player along with a JROTC. The author used Rashad’s drawing as well as the news as the symbol to show that he didn’t see himself as doing anything wrong.
The way the photo was taken only showing the people being abused adds hardship. It does not show the policemen who are spraying the hoses, which makes them seem even more evil and more like the bad guys. This gives the effect of a faceless foe and adds to the drama of the picture. This image shows that the protesters were willing to endure pain to get what they desired and deserved. The people in the background wanting to give up and go home, stay and show that they support their cause and are willing to fight for what they believe in. The man holding the woman shows the power and pain endured during the protest. They show that they are determined to get what they believe but also are being unfairly harassed.
Police brutality has been an apparent mark on the struggles, trials, and tribulations of people of minorities for years, primarily Black people. From the times of slavery to the present unlawful targeting and murders of black citizens with no justification, police brutality has been an enema in Black American culture for hundreds of years. Seen both in James Baldwin’s “Going to Meet the Man” and in the current happenings of the United States. The hashtag “#BlackLivesMatter” has been a focal point in the current struggle for equality of the races. The current outpouring of support for black lives and
In the fire hydrant scene, the black people got the rich man’s antique car wet. When driving by, the police stopped to cease the water flow. When the rich man complained about his car, the police told him that he better g333et back to his car before the black people stripped it clean. The police referred to all blacks as criminals, which implied that whites were better than blacks, supporting the idea of white superiority over black people. Here, the stereotypes about black people are applied to the whole race, and the black people need to fight the false stereotypes given to them by the white people. The remarks of the police reinforce the stereotypes that all black people are criminals. The white bystanders who hear the police will continue to believe these stereotypes because they heard people with authority reinforcing
The protest broke out all over in Missouri. Blacks, whites, and Hispanics joined to participate in the “Hands Up, Don't Shoot” protest. On November 24 the grand jury decided not to indict officer Darren. As night approached, chaos broke out all over Ferguson. Angry citizens began burning buildings, looting, and even harming officers. On the anniversary of Michael Brown's death, family, friends, and caring citizens gathered to have a peaceful celebration of the young man's life. With all the anger and emotion built up inside the people, they began to riot again. Rioting in their eyes is a way of coming together and taking charge. The racial tension in Ferguson has put the predominantly black community against all whites
A number of African American people have been murdered by members of the police force and there still has yet to be any justice for them. The fact that members of a force that are meant to protect us, are actually killing many, brings on a feeling of uneasiness and distrust. They’re targeting innocent members of society for no other reason than their skin color. And justice hasn’t been accomplished in honor of all the people that were murdered. This proves just how unjust the criminal system is and how much work needs to be done to bring justice and equality for every gender, race,
According to Apel (2014), on August 9,2014, Michael Brown,18, an unarmed black man of Ferguson, Missouri was shot and killed by a white police officer named Darren Wilson. Considering the evidence, a grand jury decided not to indict Wilson. This sparked a nationwide protest. People came from near and far to protest the judge’s decision. It was no peaceful protest, it might have appeared to start out as a nonviolent protest, but like many protests, it quickly turned violent. People wanted justice and the people felt as though the system once again had felled them. Barnett (2014), a reporter says that after the shooting groups such as the “New Black Panthers,” demanded a rebellion against the officer who shot Brown. For a while the head of police was not going to reveal the name of the officer who killed the Brown, but after a series of violent protest, the head of police released the officer’s name. If violence was not used during the protest it would not have received worldwide attention. Furthermore, the public would not have known the officer who killed Brown. Due to the amount of attention the Michael Brown’s case received and because of the amount of passion the protestors had and how they were willing to die to get their point across sparked attention. Requiring many people who were in the political spotlight to
Empowered figures in this great land speak of equality. Of fairness under the laws, or of liberty and justice for all, or that all men, as far as governmental jurisdiction is concerned, are created equal. But I say to you – This is far from the truth, though perhaps it is an untruth many would presume necessary for the good of society. Good people sharing my race are condemned to nigh infinite torment that departs only in death. Why must my children live in a society that dictates one’s fate on the basis of appearance over heart? Why, after having become forty years of age, is this a piece of the very fabric we have constructed our society upon? This must not be, for it goes against the very ideas of equality that
Black Lives Matter is an international activist movement, originating in the African American community. It campaigns against violence toward black people and has become a uniting call for an innovative chapter in the black freedom fight. The clearance of Trayvon Martin’s killer in 2013 and the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 stimulated this movement. Black Lives Matter isn’t just about the loss of Black lives; but mainly about the lack of consequences when African American lives are taken by Caucasian officers. The question is; do black lives truly matter to those that claim to protect it? The answer is no they do not because the movement’s alleged “peaceful” protests continuously
While some argue this movement’s purpose is to expose the realities of police brutality and how African Americans are often left powerless in the law. Others contend that this movement in an excuse for unjustified violence and the demonization of police.
The movement BlackLivesMatter have outed hundreds unlawful officers and victims that never got the justice needed. The same characteristics (color and style) that emulates strong, noble people can backfire. Black people in this country who actively resist dehumanization makes a call to action and a response to anti-Black racism in our current society. (Cullors, 2015) The growth of the movement has moved country-wide, first starting in the south; the south had always had history of racism and anti-black impulses. This movement is continuing to carry up north and west, and is projected that any officer can be the next one to unlawfully kill another black individual. These immoral police officers are no different from the rest of the police force, their uniforms are no different color or style they do not have different titles, there is no distinction between the these two types of officers. African Americans are persuaded to be more cautious and angry towards police officers; anyone with a cop uniform can be considered a threat to their life. Innocent cops were murdered in retaliation to the unfair judicial systems that are not punishing these cops. Once a police-like uniform is worn it not only once symbolizes honor and power, but t too many communities
Since the era human societies began shaping up, stratification of the society based on the individual talents had an important impact in establishing the system of modern nations and cultures. Undoubtedly, this layering between the social classes led to the germination of the seeds of superiority among the better families, and also among more powerful individuals. Although present day society is more tolerant and impartial than ever before, there are still some facets of the society in which inequality and discrimination prevails, or I should say plays the most important role in one’s life. The discrimination between human beings based on their race, color, gender, social, or economic status is one of the social evils that I think bothers me