The United States of America underwent many, to say the least, controversial moments in 2016 that had many questioning whether or not America could truly be understood as a free and just nation. The formation of the Black Lives Matter movement has wide spread support and opposition throughout the nation. With questions being raised in regards to the level of police brutality in predominately black neighbourhoods around America, a rise of unjust deaths to black men and women by the very authorities put in place to protect them that have gone largely unpunished sparked an uprising of voices in support of and for the families of the lost as well as those who had ever felt they had been victimized by…show more content… Many questions can be raised about what is happening in the photo as well as what it represents. The photograph manages to perfectly capture her flowing dress, a possible representation of femininity as well as power, from her calm ad defiant gaze to the wall of uniformed officers presenting a unified front. With more research in regards to the connotative meanings behind the photograph we know that the photograph is from a Black Lives Matter protest in front of police headquarters in Baton Rouge Louisiana as a community outcry against the excessive use of police force that ultimately resulted in the death of Alton Sterling (Laurent). The photograph that went viral on several social media sites such as Twitter features Ieisha Evans, the previously anonymous individual that stood up against Baton Rouge police, also pictured, when they attempted to disperse the peaceful protest July 9th 2016 (Laurent). Using the journals and works written by Delwich and Henderson, Sontag and hooks, I will further analyze the social, cultural and historical meanings behind this image as well as to analyze the impact a photograph such as this has in support of activism and how social media sites such as Twitter work to promote the seemingly…show more content… Unwavering and steady, her strength is only further projected by her perfect posture and the unimaginable symmetry of her body language as well as confident side profile. The idea that Evans could possible be considered a threat to these men is laughable, yet by the quick and visible actions to detain her, we are made to consider the very power that hooks discusses. This photograph is a repeated representation of the Black American struggle for justice and peace within their own communities. As this image grew in popularity it also resulted in the comparison of several other images throughout history of Black women presenting an unwavering commitment to their beliefs and refusing to back down. This rebellious desire (hooks 116) to look not only creates a powerful impact in the moment, but can also do so much more in means of inspiring an uprising. Sontag reflects on a photographs ability to make us experience and draw on emotions, they have the ability to allow ourselves to get lost in a captured moment in time. As this photo was spread worldwide, messages of support grew alongside, furthering the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. As a black woman, to be so emotionally connected to an event that I was not personally apart of only further
