Hands Up, Don T Shoot: A Visual Analysis

The image captured by Dickinson, depicts the ongoing battle between protestors and the police force in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson, which was the powdered keg that blew up the United States protests against police brutality, has become the epicenter for protest motivation for movements like “Black Lives Matter,” and “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot.” The image gives a prospective from the protestors standpoint. The clash between both sides is heated, which can be exemplified by the graffiti on the mailbox and the cops’ uniforms. The image forces the viewer to see the police as a stampeding force because the only civilian in view seems to be listening to the cops and staying still. The picture evokes a feeling that the government is taking over and people are being suppressed. The image is able to give a sense of what the situation is like in Ferguson. The picture contains a man with his arms raised as policemen march towards him. The cops are wearing camouflage uniforms, while bearing automatic weapons and an excessive array of accessories that are not needed for the present situation. The mailbox that the cops are marching past has graffiti that reads “Fuck The Police,” which gives the viewer a sense of the local mindset towards law-enforcement. The police have their weapons
The civilian also has his back turned to the camera, which keeps him undetailed and anonymous. This enables the viewer to identify with him and see themselves in his situation. The image gives a biased perspective because it shows the cops as an overpowering, suppressing force against an innocent civilian. The graffiti also makes the cops seem unwanted. The image is able to show the viewer the local feelings of protestors. Although the cops are supposed to make people feel safe and protected, there is an obvious issue in Ferguson. The people are fed up with police attitudes and are finally standing up to them, as shown in the