Please post a brief description of your research project including the following: 1) name of photograph(s) and/or photographer, 2) brief description of photograph's subject/context, and
3) what you will argue this photograph(s) social, cultural, political, and/or historical impact has been.
7 comments:
For my research paper I am going to use a picture of a three year old girl from the day after September 11. She is in Las Vegas, Nevada at a candlelight vigil. She is on her father's shoulders and has her arms stretched out with an American flag in her right hand. There are several people in the foreground and background because she is in a crowd of people. She appears to have tears in her eyes. This picture embodies all that is September 11 and its aftermath. The child symbolizes the innocence of youth and how our country almost had a youthful attitude to September 11. At first, our country was hurt and upset. Then, we started to categorize different ethnic groups based on what the terrorists looked like. In my paper, I want to explore the concept of how the United States came together at first to help each other grieve, as is shown in the picture with different races, gender, and age. Then, a few weeks later a new wave of racism developed and those who looked like they were from Middle Eastern descent were discriminated against. I want to explore this more throughout my paper and look into the reasons and the historical perspective of our country of singling out an entire group when there is only a handful of people to blame.
I will be focusing on a photo of a white woman holding a picket sign that says "Stop the Wat Against Black America Free Huey Free Bobby." The photo takes place at a Black Panther Party rally. I currently only have that much info... I'm not sure who the photographer is but the photo probably takes plave in Oakland, CA; where the BPP was rooted. In my paper I will discuss the Black Panther Party; roots and foundations, belief system, and legacy. In addressing an overview of the Black Panther Party, I wiil argue its pros and cons; its involvement in the ghettoes across Amrica and their quest to make it better as well as their long standing issues with police, in particular ploice brutality. To address the fact that a white woman is supporting this radical african-american party I will discuss white allies, who they are and what they do, famous white allies, and their roles in occasions like the civil rights movement.
I do not have a famous well known photograph, but it is of a Barbie lounging with a pile of junk food. I am going to discuss how food plays different roles in today's society. It can be part of a tradition, a culture, and is often used in social gatherings and events. It can be used to bring people together. Food can also be a part of someone's life in a detrimental, negatively obsessive way. Eating disorders are so prevalent in the United States today and all around the world. Even 25% of eating disordered adult patients are male. It is no longer just spoken about as a superficial girl trait, but a serious psychological illness. Eating disorders are a fatal disease. My paper is going to discuss the two different worlds of food.
The topic for my research project is Barack Obama. The first photo is from Flickr.com and it is under the title “Barack Obama - Santa Fe Art District.” It has been used as advertisement and I was attracted to it because of the use of shading and colors, its resemblance to a graffiti mural, and the message on it. There is a quote from Obama that says “I'm asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about real change in Washington. I'm asking you to believe in yours.” For this first picture I will argue that Barack Obama’s message of change is the new direction in which politics is moving. He is reminding the people of this country that real change begins with them and not the politicians. I will also argue that he embodies the spirit and charisma of John F Kennedy. I will also argue that with all the corruption in Washington in the last couple of decades, his view of politics is refreshing and inspiring.
The second photo is from the Chicago Tribune and it is of Obama giving his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination in Denver. With this photo I will explore Obama’s social and historical legacy. The photo attracted me because he is in the center of it and there is an American flag on each side of it. He is speaking and his arms are spread out which conveys his power and confidence. I think this photograph speaks volumes because it captures a moment in history. The historical legacy is that Obama is the first African American to accept the presidential nomination of one of the country's two major political parties. The social and symbolic significance is that he gave his acceptance speech on the the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech. He makes references to that speech and also talks about the “American Promise” which is very inspirational and moving.
The photograph that I chose to do my research paper on is titled, “Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery” taken by John Moore. It is one of the most intriguing and memorable photographs that I have ever seen. John Moore, a Getty photographer, took the image last year at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend when he was visiting the cemetery with his young daughter and his pregnant wife. The picture is extremely touching and when I first saw it tears almost came to my eyes. The picture illustrates a beautiful young woman hunched over a grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. mourning for someone she has lost. The woman’s hands are covering her face and it is evident that she is longing to be reunited with her lost loved one. I was intrigued to know who this woman was mourning for and how that individual died. The photographer’s purpose is to depict the enormous amount of grief that ordinary people endure after the loss of a loved one, how they must try to overcome something so hard and heartbreaking, and the social impact that that their mourning has on the rest of the world. Many individuals from around the world are able to relate to this young woman in the photograph. Through her grief, people are now able to see the negative aspects of war.
Erica Ellermeyer
For my research paper I will be analyzing a photo taken in Madrid in 2007 titled “Bidding Farewell”. The picture portrays an image of
eight soldiers carrying a coffin in a procession, most likely at a
funeral. Their style of dress and uniform establish their comrade
ranking within the Spanish forces. From the expression found amongst the various soldiers, it is clear that the body they are carrying is someone who was respected and of great importance. The flag of Spain draped over the coffin signifies the origin of the dead man and additionally where the procession was held. The emotions the image conveys bring about many questions concerning the death of the man as well as the state of Spain as a country. Further research concerning the death uncovers a situation of harsh and unjust terrorism. The
dead man in the coffin was a Spanish Civil Guard officer who was killed in southern France by a group of ETA gunmen. I would like to explore the terrorism claims made by this photograph and address the political unrest between the European nations. Additionally, present information about the group known as ETA and the Basque state striving for independence from parts of European nations they claim
their own.
For the research project I am going to use a picture that was selected as one of Time magazine's best photos of 2005. The photograph was sought out by Yuri Kozyrev in Baghdad, Iraq. It is entitled "Jungle Gym" and is of an Iraqi boy holding onto a piece of metal up a slanted cement wall. This is his makeshift jungle gym. In the background is his home, which is in shambles after suicide bombers destroyed his home, stripping the cement walls and leaving the home bare and destroyed. On the left side, the family tent has been pitched up as a result of their losing their true home. He appears to be wearing western clothes, which may symbolize his wanting of a safer life, like that typically of the western world. There are many social and photographic conventions that are included in the photo.
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