Reflective Essay

Prior to taking this class, my understanding and knowledge of the history,

memory, and visual culture of the civil rights movement was very generalized and basic.
Before college, classes on American history stressed the importance and impact the
movement had. However, the classes briefly focused on the civil rights movement and
only posit a classical perspective of the civil rights movement. My knowledge of the civil
rights movement was strictly based on major icons and events during the movement
such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, the March on
Washington, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, etc. The main focus was placed on Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. and his contributions to the movement. Surprisingly, Malcolm X was
discussed, although his militant approach and opposing viewpoints of Kings stance on
nonviolence made Malcolm X seem aggressive and in a sense less important during the
movement. My primary education failed to include the local perspective of the Civil
Rights movement, corresponding to Americas ocularcentric nature of preserving history.
Now, I know that it is important to consider the Civil Rights movement from both
the view from the trenches and the nation. This class has completely changed my
perspective and understanding for the Civil Rights movement, while also giving me a
greater appreciation and respect for the movement and the knowledge I learned this
semester. Primary education gave me a basic, generalized view of the Civil Rights
movement. Yet, through your class I was given the truth and details behind the movement
that are essential in the remembrance and perseverance of the Civil Rights movement. In
taking this class, I now have a more in-depth understanding of the Civil Rights

movement, factors associated with the remembrance and preservation of history, and the
importance of visual representation and culture.
In the beginning of the semester, I learned about what visual culture is and its
importance during the movement. Pictorial representations such as advertising, caricature
and cartoons, postcards were used to diminish African-Americans view of self-worth.
The overwhelming presence of caricatures and tangible objects showed how prevalent
racism and segregation were in Americas past. I was really surprised when I learned this
semester that many foods such as the Sun-Maid raisins, Aunt Jemima pancakes, and Land
OLakes butter have racial hidden meanings behind their logos. The fact that many of
these images still exist in todays society indicates that racism still exist to this day. I also
learned how visual representation was used in order to aid the Civil Rights movement.
Images of Emmett Till, police brutality against nonviolent protestors, and others
circulated through mass media played an important role in shaping many peoples
thoughts and actions. Many of these images brought forth the reality or truth of the
movement to many people throughout the country. These pictures allowed people in
America to associate the violence theyve heard about with an actual picture, giving it a
sense of validity. The degree of violence inflicted on innocent women, children and men
of color was something that had to be seen to believe.
This semester has definitely made me more observant and analytical as a student
and as a person. With every image, I examine every detail to make sure that I do not miss
any hidden meanings associated with it in addition to the context or purpose behind it. By
understanding what occurred in the past, I feel that people can react to certain situations
better, allowing us to prevent repeating mistakes of the past. Therefore, I feel that it is

essential to consider the Civil Rights movement as a whole, rather than focusing on the
major events and icons of the movement.
As the semester progressed, my ability to analyze images and the context
associated with that image sharpened. Many images throughout the semester helped in
shaping my comprehension of the importance of visual culture, but a few stood out to me.
Listed below are five images that stood out in shaping my understanding of movement.

Uncle Bens Brand

I chose this image because as a child, my parents
used to always buy this brand of rice and Ive seen
this image so many times. However, it was not until
this class that I learned the true context behind the
image and that it stemmed from a caricature known
as Uncle Tom. This caricature typically depicted
an elderly black man who was obedient and
subservient to the customs and racial practices of the
South. Other well-known foods with racial context
behind their logo include Aunt Jemima pancakes and
syrup, Land OLakes butter, and Sun-Maid raisins.
Now that I know about caricatures and racial context
behind a lot of common foods, I am now very
observant of what brands I buy and tend to stay away from brands containing similar
images.

Little Rock Nine (1957)

This image is a popular image
taken at the first day of school at
Central High School in Little Rock,
Arkansas, as current white students
and their parents shout insults at
Elizabeth Eckford as she walks toward
the school building. I chose this image
because upon the first time seeing this
photo, I was very disturbed by the
expressions of the people behind

Eckford. I simply could not understand why these adults were so angry with this young
African-American girl attending school. The lady right behind Eckford looks as if she is
ready to strangle the poor girl, yet Eckford remains calm and collected. In other images,
the lady can be seen raging toward Eckford and screaming at her. It amazes me how
different school was for African-Americans during that time versus todays school
system. It gives me a greater appreciation and respect for the civil rights movement.

March on Washington (August 28, 1963)

The March on Washington took place at the
Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, and was a
very essential event during the Civil Rights
Movement. In the photo, there are nearly 200,000
American gathered as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
gave his famous I Have a Dream speech. The
main reason I chose this photo is because of the
power and emotion behind of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.s speech. The reason I chose this photo is
because even though this event was essential in the
civil rights struggle for African-Americans, the
March on Washington was meant to illuminate the
political economic and social issues faced by all
Americans. Ultimately, the March on Washington
gave huge momentum to the civil rights
movement.
Greensboro Sit-ins (1960)
In the image are four of a group of twenty
A&T College students sit in seats designated
for white people at the racially segregated
F.W. Woolworth Co. Store lunch counter in
Greensboro, NC, in 1960. I chose this image
because it strayed away from the view from
the nation that I had learned prior to the
class. This photo goes to show how local
college students participated and greatly
affected the Civil Rights movement. I also
chose this photo because this took place in Greensboro, North Carolina by college
students. I could only image the things they went through in order to get us to where we
are today. Being a college student in North Carolina, in some sense I can place myself in
their shoes in order to achieve a different perspective on the movement.

Police Brutality (1963)

This photo is of 17 year old, Parker High
School student Walter Gadsden being
attacked by police dogs in 1963. Another
similar photo was taken and was placed on
the front page of The New York Times on
May 4, 1963. These images of white
brutality in Birmingham were broadcast
across the nation, affected the emotions
and morality of many white Americans.
The reason I chose this photo is because
unlike the one published, this photo shows the extent of the police brutality Gadsden
faced; an innocent observer having his sweater and jeans ripped by a vicious police dogs.
It leaves me to wonder how this photo would have affected its viewers versus the one
published in The New York Times.

The passport exercises were the most important in my progression this semester
as a student. They allowed me to use what we learned from the lectures and readings in
order to respond to important civil rights issues. Through the passport exercises, I was
able to analyze and respond to what I had learned, allowing me to get a better
understanding of the information. Responding to the issue of stereotypes, I was able to
reflect on what we had learned in order to define stereotypes in this passport:
A stereotype is a typically false presumption placed on an object or objects that
arrives from common behaviors or misassumptions associated with that object
portrayed through society, media, or personal experience. Stereotypes are
opinions that may be common but are not entirely true. Stereotypes can
perpetuate or negate people to believing theyre less or inferior due to being
different. I have been subjected to stereotypes; however, I have not used

stereotypes to define others. But, I cannot say that those stereotypes have not
influenced my first impression of a person.
Through this passport, I was able to consider my own experiences and personal
knowledge of stereotypes with what I had previously learned to come up with a working
definition. This passport also forced me to think about my past and how stereotypes have
played a role in my own experiences.
Another passport I found interesting was concerning the role white
photojournalist play in shaping the narrative of the Civil Rights movement. When
considering the Civil Rights movement, it is typically assumed that the active
contributors of the movement were nonviolent African-American organizations,
lawmakers, and icons. With this in mind, I found it very interesting and insightful to
explore white photojournalists role in the Civil Rights movement. In this passport I
stated:
White photojournalists role in shaping the narrative of the civil rights movement
was in providing a stimulus or image associated with the struggles of civil rights
activists during the movement. These pictures allowed people to see details that
would typically be overlooked or unseen. Instead of protest, these journalists
fought during the civil rights movement using their camera, rather than in protest
or violence. Many of these images brought forth the reality of the movement to
many people throughout the country. These pictures allowed people in America to
associate the violence theyve heard about with an actual picture, which adds to
its multi-sensory history. The non-violent aspect of black activist was contrasted
with the extreme violence of white mobs against these people. Images of beaten

and bruised women, children and men of color affected the perception of many
people. I feel that some photojournalist functioned as participants of the
movement because they were in the midst of the violence, yet they continue to
take photos to capture the truth behind the movement. I feel that a picture is
worth a thousand words, so these images gave the viewer a greater understanding
of what was actually going on in their own country that simply could not be put
into words.
In some sense, these white photojournalists were in the midst of the violence. This
passport gave me a different way of thinking about the history of the Civil Rights
movement and also stressed the importance of visual representation throughout the
movement.
My final and favorite passport is my last passport, which examines Martin
Bergers definition of white shame and sympathy in his book, Seeing Through Race: A
Reinterpertation of Civil Rights Photographs. Berger stresses the importance of
photography and its effects during the Civil Rights Movement. The passport says:
Berger defines shame as a response to negative social stimuli that affects both
individuals and groups. In other words, shame is simply a reaction to being
judged ill by others for actions or characteristics that one deems undesirable. In
the case of white shame, the vast array of images and articles concerning white
brutality in Birmingham affected the emotions and morality of many white
Americans. Reporters described the use of police dogs and high-pressure fire
hoses to subdue African Americans as a national disgrace. It was said that the
events in Birmingham made whites question their civil responsibilities as well as

their morality. From a political standpoint, the image of America stood in the
crosshairs as well. American politicians did not want America to be viewed as
failing or flawed. Berger states that Forced to confront how their nation
failed to live up to its values, many whites were shamed. One writer even
compares their actions to those of a wild beast. I find this interesting that African
Americans were viewed as beast through caricatures and society, yet through the
actions of peaceful protest many whites realized that they had been the beasts the
whole time, as if looking into a mirror. By perfecting victims and imperfect
tactics, It was also believed that the children were easily manipulated and too
nave to understand the dangers associated with their actions. Kennedy states
School children participating in street demonstrations is a dangerous business.
An injured, maimed, or dead child is a price that none of us can afford to pay.
Berger describes how the violent images of white brutality against the nonviolent
African-American protestors created a sense of shame and sympathy toward white
viewers. He also examines the notion of perfecting victims and imperfect tactics.
Children that took action during the movement were considered, as perfect victims due
to their sense of innocence as well as the fact that children would be less susceptible to
white brutality. However, the strategy seemed imperfect due to the fact that it put the
children in danger. Seeing that it is the longest of my passports, I feel that my critical
thinking skills have definitely improved since the beginning of the semester.
Through this class I have grown not only as a student, but also as a person.
Throughout this semester, I learned a lot about the truth behind the Civil Rights
movement as well as develop a more analytical perspective. Ive learned the importance

of considering the view from the nation in addition to the view from the nation. Ive also
learned the importance of visual culture and how it has affected the way we remember
and preserve Americas history. All in all, this semester was very insightful and I enjoyed
being a part of this class.