If I asked you about what your mind conjures up
when I say the word "Innocence"? I would wager something along the
lines of this image first comes to mind. But this should not make a difference in the
outcome of your life, and whether or not you get to live past the age of
fourteen. Unfortunately, being born an African-American in the era of Jim Crow
laws led to Emmett Till becoming just one more story without an ending due to
the pervasiveness of racial injustice in 1950's America. This photo of Emmett Till at his
funeral should not be examined impartially. I believe, that it
simply cannot. This picture appeals to the very essence of what it means to be
human. The innocence of children is considered to be sacred in our society. The
mutilation of a shockingly young boy portrayed so vividly in this image became
a call to action to implement new laws, which would protect the rights of
African-Americans in America. The image of the distorted face of Emmett Till would permeate into the consciousness of Americans through exposure in the media. This picture became a symbol of every black child
who was ever injured, killed or suffered under the racist ideals prevalent in
20th century America.
This picture so deeply affected the American
populace of the 1950's and 1960's that it gave the Civil Rights Movement the
momentum it needed to finally take off. This picture provided undeniable proof
that racism was a parasite eating away at the fibers of mid-century America.
When examining this photograph and remembering the
racism that was prevalent in 1960's American values and the continued
injustices committed against African Americans, I think Macklemore
says it best, "It's human rights for everybody, there is no
difference!"
Hey Lina,
ReplyDeleteYour post is very concrete while still stating your opinion about the Emmet Till and Trayvon Martin cases. You definitely appealed emotionally to the notion that children are inherently innocent and should not be judged based on their skin color/ ethnicity. I also liked how you connected the Emmet Till case with the Civil Rights movement in terms of how one started the other. But even after the Civil Rights movement, the Trayvon Martin case still happened which is still evident that racial hostility is not dead in this country. However, I have to say that I do like that your voice came out in this post! Keep up the good work!
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Hi Lina,
ReplyDeleteYour point is very well argued solidly stated. Your use of all of the images linked within your post really serve to bolster your statements - none of them are at all superfluous. You definitely touched on the major appeal to pathos in these two horrific examples of extreme racism (the appeal to sympathy/empathy for the innocent). The parallels you drew between the pathetic appeals of both the Emmet Till and Trayvon Martin cases are very interesting. Your tone almost uses an appeal to pathos towards your readers, whilst commenting on the pathetic appeals of the photos, something that I enjoyed while reading your post.
On a side note, I like the "parasite" analogy you used at the end of the penultimate paragraph.
Well done!
-Danielle Mundhenk
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ReplyDelete