train your eye essay

1. Nicholas Lawson
FYS100
3/7/2016
Picture Analysis Essay
“Give me liberty, or give me death,” famous words spoken by Patrick Henry, one of our
countries founding fathers. These words hold true for many Americans across our great nation;
even more true for those blacks who fought to have equal rights in the 1900’s, and even still fight
today. In the picture below, it is clear the symbolization stands for the black community enacting
Patrick Henry’s phrase because they demanded the same liberties and freedoms whites had, and
would die trying to reach their goal.
In the picture below, a black man has hung himself off of Lady Liberty. To me, this
symbolizes a man whose liberties and freedoms have been taken from him, killed if you will. It
is common knowledge what Lady Liberty stands for, so hanging off of her from a rope around
the neck is a clear indication how the freedoms for the young individual have been killed.
While I assume that the picture was made during the first fight for black rights, it would
not be impossible for this picture to be a newer picture. With all the controversy about racism
going on in today’s society, this picture could also symbolize how blacks have lost their liberties
more recently. The community had freedoms, and many feel that today they have lost some of
their freedoms, or are treated less equal to whites nowadays.