The picture is David and Lou, taken by Wing Young Huie in South Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2012. It features two men who appear vastly different on the outside. But, opon disection, one might be able to conclude that these men are very similar, and that the simple fact of them being racially different is what makes them different in the viewer's mind.
Margaret Atwood also creates differences in her story, The Handmaid's Tale. In the story, men are explicitly different from women in terms of what they are alowed to do and how they are utilized in society. Men have more power and are the leaders and protectors, while women are the birthers. mothers, and cooks. Atwood also creates differences between women. Women like Aunts and Wives of Commanders have more freedom than Handmaids and Marthas.
Wing creates differences by using the viewer's assumptions and judgements of race. Margaret Atwood creates differences by explicitly stating them in her story. Both are effective at othering and otherization.
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| David and Lou |
I found your interpretation very interesting. When I first examined the photo, the men seemed very different. After looking into their backgrounds, it then became clear that they could relate to each other and shared some of the same lifestyles. It is sad that we often judge people by their outward appearance and neglect to take the time to examine who they truly are inside.
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ReplyDeleteI like the way you describe Wing's purpose. I agree; Wing uses the viewer's previous experiences and perceptions to create an impact through his photos on the viewer. When asked to describe this photo, I would first identify a white man and black man. It's tempting to assume their backgrounds and lifestyles by purely observing the photo. Habitually I would only focus on their differences rather than their similarities because differences are easier to spot and describe
ReplyDeleteContrast is present in both texts, so I would have liked to have seen some discussion of this and how it contributes to othering (or maybe how it 'otherizes').
ReplyDeleteBe mindful of generalizations and assumptions- if they are not supported by the author's intention and might not be held by other audiences, they should not be included.
Thanks for tackling a Vlog- it was a nice break from reading everyone else's posts!
I liked your iterpretation but i looked at it a different way. i saw it as two different people from different backgrounds who, against all odds, managed to become "brothers from another mother". because people think that these two guys could not become friends they are victims of othering.
ReplyDeleteCole, I would like to formally thank you for the journey your vlog just took me on. I was thoroughly moved by this masterpiece. I found your commentary on the men's backgrounds and internal similarities groundbreaking, and I agreed with your stance. I, too could see that "look" in their eye, that they knew what the other had been through, and that that they were proud of their friendship. However, I disagree with your opinion that the author made the two men look as different as possible, including body shape and clothing. In my opinion, the creator of the photograph made the men look almost identical except for the one obvious difference, skin color. By making everything else look similar in the photograph, the race difference is highlighted.
ReplyDeleteCole, I like how you discuss how it is the reader's mind that is causing the "othering" in this photograph. I agree with you and I believe that the author attempts to make these two individuals look as different as possible to invoke a judgement by the reader. However, I think that one of the biggest ways that the author does this is with the two men's legs. The black man's legs are hanging inside the patio whereas the white man's legs are hanging on the outside. This gave me the impression that the black man "belongs" here and that the white man is an "outsider". This supported the idea that these men are different and contributes to the differences that you already stated.
ReplyDeleteI like how you make the connection that othering is created by the viewer of the image not by the image itself. Atwood makes a simmilar connection in her book. This is a very important aspect of our society to notice, and not many people do. Due to the pillar in the middle of the photo, a even greater sense of othering is created. I beleive the photographer used the pillare on purpose to seperate the two men. He is also using our assumption of othering that Atwood used.
ReplyDeleteThe Louise and Brenna Show was better, but you have 24 views now.
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