In the Introduction to his book Seeing through Race, Martin A. Berger (not related to John Berger) lays out the thesis of his book’s interpretation of the photography associated with the U.S. Civil Rights era (1950s &1960s). According to Berger, newspaper and magazine editors selected photographs based on their perceived power to draw out the of their white readers. The result, Berger continues, was that “the media could not assuage the racial anxieties of whites without affecting the depiction of blacks.” This meant that photographs that featured the black protestors succumbing to white violence was more common than depictions of black-led political action. In other words, editors, especially white ones, were more likely to use photographs featuring black people as victims as opposed to black people standing up for their rights.
Recently, we have seen a similar dynamic at play as media depictions of the killing of George Floyd caused many white allies to take to the streets in solidarity with black Americans. We have also seen media depictions of African-American protests incite white racial anxieties about black violence.
What do you make of Berger’s argument? Do you agree, disagree, or something in between? Use the information from Chapter 4 of They Say/I Say and the “Sheridan Baker Thesis Machine” and write a thesis statement in which you take a position on Berger’s argument.
Although black violence was shown in the streets I agree with Berger that newspaper and magazine editors selected photographs based on their perceived power to draw out the of their white readers, this was the best way of photographers to assuage the racial anxieties that the protests caused, conveing solidarity featuring black people as victims. Therefore, instead of portray the protests of black people standing for their rights, they show black protestors succumbing to white violence. This was a form to evite affecting the depiction of blacks ( that could affect the social view of that newspaper or magazine ) and mantaining the white supremacy.
Although black violence was shown in the streets I agree with Berger that newspaper and magazine editors selected photographs based on their perceived power to draw out the of their white readers, this was the best way of photographers to assuage the racial anxieties that the protests caused, conveying solidarity featuring black people as victims. Therefore, instead of portraying the protests of black people standing for their rights, they show black protestors succumbing to white violence. This was a form to evite affecting the depiction of blacks ( that could affect the social view of that newspaper or magazine ) and mantaining the white supremacy.
Based on the article, many photography stores would advertise the pictures with white cops or whites committing violent crimes against black people because they sold more often than a regular picture of protesters standing and marching with signs in their hands. They used this tactic of manipulation as a way to make more money as soon as they realized the benefits. They noticed that people were attracted to the drama and negativity behind these images. I feel as if this is wrong for the simple fact that if these are the only images you are advertising those people who have trouble keeping up with the news or times will think or may be confused into thinking that this is the only current and occurring events happening and with that being said it could fuel violence from both blacks and whites against each other. If anything all this is doing is making the greedy rich and instigating a race war and only causing hate, now don’t get me wrong yes those things in the image happened but it is immorally wrong to use these images just to put money in your pockets knowing what the consequences could be.