While Photojournalism had been around for decades, the power to reach and influence the masses of society wasn't realized until during the Civil War Movement. In fact, photographs are fundamental in teaching Americans today the reality of the Civil Rights Movement. One of most renowned photographer during this time was Gordon Parks, the first African-American photographer hired by Life, remarked “the camera could be a very powerful instrument against discrimination, against poverty, against racism.” Even though Parks didn't focus his photography on landmark milestones in civil rights history, such as protests, rallies, and acts of violence, his photo essay such as "Segregation Story" and "The Restraints: Open and Hidden" which depicted how …show more content…
black humanity was no different than white profoundly influenced the civil rights movement by creating empathy from his reader and encouraging change and equality. Born a black man at the height of racism, Parks faced the daily struggle of poverty and prejudice nonetheless he used it as motivation to overcome these obstacles and make a difference in the world.
During 1937, Parks was working as a waiter on a train, when he picked up a magazine that a customer had left behind that showed an image of migrant workers picking vegetables and fruits in the fields. While examining this one image he realized how it communicated to him all the hardships and struggles these migrant workers endured, this one image spoke to him more than thousands of words could of that, is when he knew he need a camera to use as his weapon to becoming successful. After buying his first camera, a Voigtländer Brillant, for $12.50 at a pawn shop, the 25-year-old, set on the path of breaking racial barriers by first becoming a self-taught photographer that did freelance fashion photography that landed him a lucrative fellowship at the Farm Security Administration which led him to becoming a correspondent with the Office of War Information which as being black was unheard of. After resigning from the O.W.I., he continued utilizing the power of photography and created a photo essay titled "Harlem Gang Leader" which led him to become the first African-American photographer hired at Life Magazine. During Parks he was also an author, poet, composer and film …show more content…
director. During the Jim Crow Era, Parks became motivated to break through the stereotypes that images of demonstrations, boycotts, and brutality were creating for African Americans.
In 1956, he published a photo essay titled “The Restraints: Open and Hidden,” which contained images of everyday life of an African American family during this era near Mobile, Alabama. It is hard at first to understand why these photos of the daily lives of African Americans were so effective in paving the way of the Civil Rights Movement but you have to realize most white Americans were completely ignorant to the lives of blacks. I believe his images are more powerful toward the civil rights movements because he was the rare African American that was truly heard and was able to effectively communicate with whites of the social injustice that was occurring. He was able to cause whites to ask themselves, "what makes blacks so much different that they warrant the unjustness of segregation?" Parks images showed how blacks lived similar lives as whites by spending time with family, going to the mall, practicing religion, etc. Even after Parks death in 2006, his images are influencing black lives matter photography activists such as Devin Allen who is following Parks footsteps by publishing photos of intimate moments in life that are still occurring amid protests and
violence. "Parks’s photo essay served as crucial documentation of the Jim Crow South and acted as a national platform for challenging racial inequality. However, rather than focusing on the demonstrations, boycotts, and brutality that characterized the battle for racial justice, Parks emphasized the prosaic details of one family’s life. In particular, his ability to elicit empathy through an emphasis on intimacy and shared human experience made the photographs especially poignant." (High Museum of Art) Communicating with "quite, non-threatening" images allow the photographer to act as a liaison between their people and the rest of the world successfully which a more successful and powerful position when fighting for social justice.
...upport of black nationalism and communism towards the end of his life. He is recognized as one of the most influential African American scholars of the 20th century paving the way for advocates of civil rights.
Gordon Parks was a photographer and humanitarian with a passion for documenting poverty, and civil rights in the second half of the 20th century. His signature style continues to be celebrated as one of the most iconic of the time.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” (Albert Einstein). “Flavio’s Home,” written by Gordon Parks, can be considered one of Parks’ most memorable photography works. Parks’, enduring much hardship of his own as a teenager, turned his struggles around and used it as inspiration for others. His article tells of a twelve-year old boy and his family, stricken by poverty. Through an acutely informative and subtly persuasive article, Parks adequately uses pathos, diction, syntax, and imagery to tell his readers about why and how poverty “is the most savage of all human afflictions.” Speaking to his Life Magazine readers, Parks’ purpose for writing this article is to first
King was arguably the most important voice of the Civil Rights Movement , which worked for equal rights of all. He used nonviolent resistance to overcome justice, and fought to end segregation laws. He also done all he could to make people realise that all men are created equally. These remarkable outcomes emanated from the actions of Rosa parkes. It’s incredible that a single human being inspired some of the greatest people, and achievements in Civil rights history.
Lewis Hine was best remembered as a person that used his camera and photographs to bring about social change. Hine wanted to show things that had to be corrected. He called his type of photography "Interpretive Photography."
African Americans were among the worst treated races in the US; however, this did not stop them from fighting for the rights that so many had died for. It seemed as if black people would never be treated respectfully, but just like in comic books, there is always a hero that will fight for his people. This hero soon came to the scene and he was fierce enough to change the lives of many people. Most importantly, he broke the color barrier and created a path that would allow others to follow. However, something that was inevitable was the threats and racial remarks they had to face.
The Civil Rights Movement refers to the political, social, and economical struggle of African Americans to gain full citizenship and racial equality. Although African Americans began to fight for equal rights as early as during the days of slavery, the quest for equality continues today. Historians generally agree that Civil Rights Movement began with the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and ended with the passing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
rights of people around the world. He rose to prominence in a time when segregation was legal in America and black people were being lynched by white mobs, especially in the South.
There were many types of mediums in the time of the civil rights movement. Some include television, radio, and newspapers. These different sources have described experiences of the Little Rock Nine both accurately and inaccurately. The Little Rock Nine was a group of African American boys and girls, including Carlotta Walls LaNier, who integrated into the local public high-school, Central. They have gone through hardships just trying to get a good education, and have had personal guards because of mobs forming outside of the school. The Little Rock Nine have helped put an influence on integration throughout the time of the Civil Rights Movement. Even after graduating, they are all remembered for their work in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The civil rights movement in the 1960’s was a very powerful time period in this country. Birmingham, Alabama was in the heart of the struggle for equal rights. African Americans protested and fought for what they believed in through peaceful and violent protests. In this picture the struggle is shown on how difficult it was for African Americans to gain equal rights. The photo was taken in the midst of a protest which adds dramatic effect, the people in the photo show pain and the people not pictured make them a faceless foe and the lack of colors in the picture helps send a powerful message.
...old and innovative statement on civil rights. He attempts to convince the public that discrimination has gone on for far too long and it is time for a change. As for the photo it mainly uses the appeal of Pathos, but it does not lack in power. The image is simple but communicates a powerful image revolving around discrimination. It shows that skin color does not change the fact that a man in a man. Both of these media’s are powerful and worked to better society on the idea of discrimination uses the different rhetorical appeals. Of course, in conclusion, JFK’s speech and the photo both aided the development of our current state of mind. In that time we didn’t see African Americans as equals but since JFK’s motivating speech and the powerful photo “I am a man” we have changed are views and become a much more tolerant society.
...le. He worked through the struggles and difficulties to make sure that his goals were accomplished. The actions he took allowed African Americans to gather hope and lead a change in our world.
He was someone that showed that you could accomplish anything you could put your mind to. He was the ultimate risk taker. Up until this time Black Americans were relegated to the sidelines and punished for speaking their minds but he did not care. He listened to his conscience and went on with his protesting. No matter what the circumstance happened to be, he stayed true to what he believed was the right thing to do.
inspired many people to fight with peace and tranquility during the Civil Rights Movement in order to be able to accomplish getting equal rights. He was able to accomplish everything he did in his lifetime with the support of his family and the people who inspired him, and all Americans who thought equal rights was worth fighting for. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important civil rights activist because he fought in peace and not violence which inspired many Americans to fight with him rather than against him. Not only did he face segregation in his life, but he didn’t let that stop him, during the civil rights movement he really made a difference in American society, and he inspired others to become civil rights activist and he still has a big impact in society