
Coming from Martin Luther king, Jr. “There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies”. Relating to current issues in today’s crisis, this quote can portray to a popular subject, that is commonly displayed in hidden messages throughout pop culture. Featured in a Kanye west song, “No Church in The Wild”, the act of police versus civilian hate crimes, is very evident in the message displayed. At scene 1:10, the visual image of a police officer fighting against a civilian is a very controversial image. Through the use of a monotone color scheme, placement of the individuals, and the background, one cannot formulate an idea as too which side is good and which side is evil. As many would assume that the police officer would be the morally right one, the image gives the viewer a different aspect. With current issues of police violence and domestic terrorism, the viewer draws parallel to this topic and creates an uncertain feeling as to which side is at fault in the image.

The first tactic used to create the illusion and vagueness, as to which side is wrong in the image, is through color scheme. The monotone neutral coloring of both the police, and the civilian gives no intake or persuasion as to which side is at fault. Following the two sides that are battling it out, the viewer can see the same color scheme is carried into the background as well. The monotone background hides the chaos, and makes for one unable to recognize the exact details of the setting. This can alter how the viewer feels, as the undistinguished setting creates an illusion that the battling of police versus a civilian can be held anywhere. This neutral color scheme that transcends throughout the whole image gives the impression of fighting, and chaos from both parties. Color is a commonly used tactic to distinguish good versus evil, as black represents evil and white represents good and innocence. However, in the theory of color, grey represents compromise, because it is in the middle of the two extremes of white and black. Ironically, during the civil war the Confederate Army wore gray uniforms; this can be another symbolic reference to the photo, as the two sides are fighting for what seems to be over individual rights, like that of the civil war. While looking at the image and being unable to distinguish the two sides by color, makes the viewer wonder if they are both at fault during this fight. Only by seeing the police uniform and the normal clothes presented on the civilian can one tell who the individuals are. The monotone neutral color thus serves as a useful tactic to give the viewer an unbiased look at the two sides of the fight, and makes for both sides to appear as equals. 

The image uses placement and the gaze of the two individuals as another tactic to give the uncertainty as to which side is good and which is evil. Looking at the civilian, he is seen mid jump, almost attacking the police officer, however with no weapons. While the police officer is seen with a weapon and shield and in mid swing at the unarmed boy. While both parties are attacking each other, it is difficult for the viewer to make the choice as to which side struck first. Both sides could be striking for self-defense, however it is undistinguishable. Further examining the individuals, one can notice that their heads are looking down at the ground, neither looking at each other face to face. In the Language of the Gaze, the peripheral gaze is said to be when two characters look at each other only within a general area, unlike a sharp or direct gaze. As the characters are facing each other, they are arguably looking down, rather than making eye contact. The body language of looking down and not directly at someone is a sign of quilt, thus making the viewer unsure as to which side is more dominant and at fault. Both of the individuals are looking downward, and covering their faces, helps evoke the idea of shame and that neither side is at fault in this fight. The police officer and the boy are both seen to be at the same level of height, even with the cop hunching over and the boy jumping. This gives one the feeling that the police officer is stooping down to a lower level, and the civilian is trying to raise above authority. Equalization of height that is provided gives a fair balance and the illusion that the police officer and civilian are of equals, neither having greater power. As both ideas can be taken as wrong, this helps provoke the idea that the viewer is unsure who is evil. Police officers are commonly known as trying to prevent crime and deescalate situations, as civilians are known to listen to what is best. As the image exploits the officer striking the unarmed boy, this action creates an unsettling thought, to the idea of a peaceful and trustworthy police officer. While in contrast, the idea of a civilian trying to fight a police officer, in full gear and protection, gives one the idea that the reasoning to fight is vast. Looking at the body position and gaze of the two individual’s further gives uncertainty to the viewer to distinguish if there is a good and evil side, and as to who started the fight. 

Another useful tactic used is the background behind the police officer and the civilian. The viewer is able to identify other shields, like the close up officer is holding and fighting with. The chaos in the background is very clear, but like the two individuals, it is uncertain as to who struck first. Seeing the chaos in the background, but being unable to identify where the two are, creates an eerie feeling for the viewer that this could happen anywhere. The police officer has a helmet on and full gear, as this kind of attire gives the viewer the idea that the officer is at war with an enemy, not an unarmed boy. The attire of the officer further creates a mystery idea for the viewer as to where this could take place. The modern day clothes of both of the individuals further evokes the eerie idea that the setting is present day. With the conspiracy that’s been trending in current issues, raises even more awareness as to which side could be at fault.

As the commonly known artist Kanye West, produced the music video, his view of power and religion is supported by the image. Throughout the song “No Church in The Wild” the clear message is that one must fight for themselves because there is no higher power to protect them. This helps further support the idea that both the police officer and the civilian are taking this notion and fighting for themselves, and neither side is right or wrong. The underlying thought of the image that is provoked by the title of the song is the idea that religion has created chaos and fighting, and that both sides are equally wrong. Titling the image: “No Church in The Wild”, helps support the idea that there is no higher power to help protect someone who is, “in the wild”. Prior knowledge of Kanye Wests view on religion, and his very predominant stance that he is not a believer, gives the viewer more understanding that the image depicts two people trying to fight, when there is no higher power helping either side out. The title further helps support the image, because it clearly depicts the idea that everyone has to defend themselves, so the viewer is unsure if there is a defendant evil side.

This image uses color schemes, body language, background, and the title to help give the viewer a doubt as to which side is at fault. Viewing an extremely controversial image and connecting it with current issues presented today with, police violence and domestic terrorism helps the viewer analyze the image differently. Prior knowledge and understanding of Kanye West’s music, and having awareness of current issues of war over religion and individual rights, is very helpful tool for the viewer in regarding the image. Referring back to Martin Luther king, Jr.’s quote: “There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”, the image gives the reader the idea that each person is good and evil, but has different ideas of power. Through the useful tactics, the viewer is unable to understand which side is good and which side is bad and cannot determine who is at fault during this chaotic fight. 
