Civil Rights photograph analysis

In the photograph, there is a white girl with her hand on the face of an African-American, maybe oppressing her or not letting her accomplish a certain objective. That can be seen because the white girl’s face covers the African-American’s eyes and mouth, probably in order to don’t let this African-American see or speak, which can be interpreted as a control situation, since people that don’t see their surroundings or don’t express themselves because of dissatisfaction, are usually afraid or under control of some kind of authority or hierarchy that has been set.

An important detail or strategy to be noticed is that the girl who is being oppressed in the picture does not react violently to the white girl’s actions, which would be a sign or possibility of the belief and practice of nonviolence, leading to the thought that the African-America in the photograph might be a protester or someone that believes in social change and the Civil Rights. That can also be seen because the white girl wears a “Beatles” shirt, a famous band from the 1960’s, an era of a big amount of Civil Rights movements such as the Sit-ins in lunch counters and the Freedom Rides.

Another detail of this photograph is that the white girl seems to be talking, with a facial expression that can be interpreted as: “Do not listen to this other girl” or “Just ignore her”, which may represent a general way of thinking or attitude of white people. The location of the photograph seems to be a school, where some white students had to interact with African-Americans. This would be important because schools were usually places of racism and that would sustain the hypothesis of oppression against the African-American in the photograph.

5 thoughts on “Civil Rights photograph analysis”

  1. Hi Natalia,
    I really enjoyed reading your blog post. Your analysis in the second and third paragraphs was contextually relevant and very constructive. I loved your inclusion of small details like the Beatles shirt. Your image choice showed clear relation to the civil rights movement, but you still had originality in that the white girl is seen symbolically oppressing the african-american. You mentioned the sit-ins and Freedom rides. How do you think you could have incorporated either of these into your choice and analysis of location for the picture?

  2. Natalia,
    Your picture is very original. I like that you used the symbol of covering the black girl’s eyes and mouth to represent the control that the white girl has. The lack or response from the girl being oppressed is also very interesting and realistic. I also like that your captures the relationship between the two groups in schools, as there is not much media coverage on this topic since cameras were not necessarily present in schools. Great job.
    Tidiane D.

  3. Hi Natalia,

    I enjoyed reading your analysis of the photograph. I like how you took even clothing into account for your re-enactment, as I think that it is something many including myself took for granted in this process. I also like what the Beatles shirt means, as for me it shows that even young white people, who would supposedly be the supporters of change, where still amongst those who wanted to uphold segregation.
    I also think that having you hold Jessica’s face also creates an interesting power dynamic between the both of you, which is aptly reflected in the analysis of your photograph.
    Overall, I really like your photo and the thought that went into it. Good job!

    Cire

  4. I liked the way you made some reference to Beatles in the context of Civil Rights movements. I researched “Beatles Civil Rights Movements” and I came up with this article: “1964, Civil Rights – and the Beatles?” (http://greenlining.org/blog/2013/1964-civil-rights-and-the-beatles/). I am really interested to see the social impacts inflicted by famous musical bands during 1960s. There are certain roles that these idolized figures played within US’s Civil Rights movements, just as the “song” was used as an important medium in leading the mass audience in black churches.

  5. Hi Natalia,
    The photo and analysis reflect general experiences during this period in American history. What historical details could be included for increased specificity? To what extent did white women get involved with physically restraining or oppressing African Americans? Was this setting meant to portray a classroom or somewhere else? How might the Sit-ins and Freedom Rides be integrated to help show historical context?

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