Wednesday, March 1, 2017
The photograph of the protest is a snapshot of the Civil Rights Movement and effectively displays the pathos that was needed to bring about change. On almost every one of the hundreds of signs the protestors made use of, their message begins with either "We March For..." or "We Demand..." and is followed with a plea for basic human rights. The pathos of this comes from the sadness these signs make us onlookers feel, as these African-Americans have to fight tirelessly just for what they deserve as people on this Earth. None of the messages on the signs or outlandish, demanding things only like equal rights, an end for bias, and decent housing. All they want is their fair shake of things, which has been stripped from them by centuries of oppression. What they don't want, which sets the pathos used in this photograph apart from most traditional examples, is pity. They demand action and are not merely asking for it. This refusal to show weakness and backdown is arguably what ended up making the Civil Rights Movement so successful.
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Looking at the picture, I felt that the posters conveyed a great deal with simply the word "we" alone. It shows the sense of a community and that everyone was together on this fight for equality. I also agree with your analysis that the posters show that these people were fighting for something that should already be given.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your analysis of the pathos of this photo. The signs exemplify unity and solidarity. The people are coming together to support an amazing cause. They are not fighting for special treatment, but rather equality. The signs state that they are not looking for violence, only peace and to achieve what the rights they deserve.
ReplyDeleteI think your analysis of "We" in the photo is on point. It definitely conveys the reality that so many people suffered at this time, and a sadness is certainly imparted on the viewer as they attempt to comprehend its extent. I also agree that there is not just a sadness associated with "We" but also a power. Its use in the protest presented a very unified front that was formidable and brought about great change and inspiration. I think the dichotomy of the oppressed and the empowered ultimately convey a hope in the agency individuals were beginning to discover.
ReplyDelete^^ Eva sorry
ReplyDeletePathos is always the most important appeal when it comes to photographs. Evoking a feeling is the sole purpose of them, and your analysis of not only the signs but the protesters themselves is fantastic. I also really like how you touched on the thought of pity, and how they want nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeletePeter
DeleteI think you did a good job of analyzing the pathos in the photograph. It is clearly meant to evoke people's emotions and you touched upon that well. I agree that the photograph makes the viewer feel sad and feel the pain of the protesters.
ReplyDelete