In this picture of raced and classed bodies the two Caucasian men do not understand why this man is even holding this sign, and from his hand gestures one could read that he is angry with him. Whereas the black man knows that there is extreme poverty out in the world and that not much is being done about it therefore, making this political statement was all he had in mind. The cultural representation here shows that the ethnicity that is not considered poor, are the Caucasians whereas the African Americans are extremely poor and would like some help. This creates race and class distinctions as well as barriers. Also, just the anger and disgust in the two Caucasian men’s faces fuels the idea that there is hatred between the two races. The African American man’s face looks confused and unsure of how to react to the white man making it politically look as though he truly is inferior because of his confusion. One contradictory element though is the African American’s attire is associated with the prototype of a wealthy person and the unkempt look of the Caucasian man makes him look dirty or even unintelligent. Although these two distinctions should speak volumes about their character and make the stereotypical idea that African American men are quick to anger dissipate, and instead switch to Caucasians, it does not. All that is interpreted is the already existent negative stereotypes for each race. For example, this could be read as another way African Americans just complain about their situation instead of do something about it; a stereotype that lives on because of pictures like this one.
Very interesting reading into a moving picture. The idea that class and racial divide are related is nothing new but your interpretation of this photo really addresses the issue. Overall the picture was very moving and the white man truly does look slightly more unkempt than the African American. The idea that the white man feels as though he has a place to lecture the poor man is very telling as to the society we live in as well.
ReplyDeleteI find this picture very indicative of present stereotypes. The black man in this picture signifies poverty. This picture by only shows one protester that protester being a black man points at the fact that poverty is an issue only faced by the black population. The white man in the picture looks like he may be confronting the individual about his sign and even yelling at him. There is something I find really interesting and that is the fact that although the white men in the picture are not holding the sign they also do not signify the white race as having money in any sort. I think they look grungy and may be in poverty themselves. I think that the sign not only picks at poverty but also at the way the people that control the wealth of the country use it and how the wealthy actually make decisions that hurt the poor class of people.
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