August 28. 1963 marks the historical day when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous speech during the March on Washington. People from near and far came to witness the event. The media created from that day spread and helped contribute to the eventual change in civil rights legislation. One of the photos, taken by Francis Miller, depicts a group of black men linking arms. It was featured in Times magazine, which uses select photos from significant events to sum up the year. Because of this, the photo was able to reach a large audience. In that time period, anyone who got the magazine was able to experience a part of the March on Washington and the intense emotions that came with it. However, over the years with the spread of the internet, the photo has seen more faces and had even more of an impact.
I agree with you on the part about how this picture of united men evokes intense emotions from its audience. You did not mention, however, that black men as well as white men were both present and linked arms, which could allow the photo to reach for an even larger audience. This would evoke stronger emotion and I feel like this is what the photographer was trying to convey.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you included that over the years the internet was able to distribute the photograph to an ever greater audience. Because of that, not only is the audience who saw it at the time period, but also everyone who views it today. Children, teens, college students, adults, whites, black, or any other person in the world now has the option of accessing this photograph if they chose to (internet connection required). There may even be people from the time period of the photo who still have a copy of it and could re print it today and distribute it through hard copy as well.
ReplyDelete