
In American history, groups of people have always been oppressed.  This ranges from the institution of slavery, so segregation.  In the graphic novel “The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation” the illustrator uses color schemes to show the fall of slavery in America making an example of the power individuals can have when they band together.   On the panel on the second page of the graphic novel an example of this can be shown.  The two groups of individuals are represented as red people and blue people, and they appear to be on opposite sides of the panel. One notices that each color does not have a varied population.  The red consist of slaves wearing rags and white and black women, while the blue group on the left only has white men in elegant clothing. The red group represents the people of color, and women who were denied rights.  

On the same panel, red people are being led by a man that gives viewer an impression of Moses.  Moses is most known for his story of liberating the people of Egypt.  One can be assured that this is Moses because of the fact that many of the people gaining their rights in America were slaves.    The sand timer that Moses is leading the band of people with is illuminating the people who are close to it.  This sand timer makes everyone near it the same shade of orange.  This includes the group of white men on the right side of the panel.  The two men who are closest to the light from the left side are the same color as Moses, and the ones close behind him.  This represents the light that will guide the oppressed black people and women to equality, and symbolizes the end of the rich white men taking advantage of them.  

The idea of many groups of people with unequal status becoming equal is also in the panel on page 203 with the large group of purple people.  This group contains black and white people, different religions, and economic statuses standing together, contrasting with the panel above it with the two opposing groups of people.   An important factor to express the differences between the members of the group are their clothes, as well as features they possess.  This varies from suits, to regular collared shirts, hair types, and religious headwear, including upper and lower class people.  People from both the red and blue groups can be found united in this purple group.   These people are from modern times, illustrating how the light of equality has already guided the people of America from prejudice and intolerance.  This is shown by the fact that the whole mass of people of great variety are standing together, and also consisting of only one color.  

An interesting detail in the panel on 203 with the two men taking the flag out of the safe is that they are the same color as the upper class white men shown in the panel above.  This means that the same people who were guarding the flag from all other classes are now removing it from their grips, and waving it for the rest of the citizens.  This can be an example of the upper class understanding their own skewed thinking, thus removing the American flag from being their hostage.   The blue may not represent the upper class in the same manner as the panel above, viewing it as a ruling class, but as just another economic state with the same rights as every other citizen.  This idea is backed up by the fact that one of the blue upper class men is black, which would be impossible in the time period of the panel above. 

The bottom panel on page 203 utilizes a rustic color scheme to portray some of the ideas that the constitution once enforced as antiquated.   The panel uses a tan gradient to suggest that these sections of the document have become null as the country evolved into what it is today.  The panel mentions in text that in order to have greater insight of America, you cannot exclude the once prominent flaws that were rampant in history.  The rustic color scheme reminds the reader of the importance of the history of our country, while also states how dark a time that was for America.  This is expressed through the ridged shading, and sharp angles of the shackled hands of the slaves, and the dull background surrounding them.  We have not forgotten about the document, despite its age, and we cannot forget about how it’s underrepresentation of people of color and women were once accepted. This also tells the reader that the document must change to fit the country that follows it.  If the constitution never changed, these people would be just as underrepresented as they were then.  

In the middle panel on page 203, one noticeable detail the dominating white background.  This can be a representation for the unity of the states, being that the white stars on the American flag are a symbol for the states of America.  This can also be from the fact that the stars are not illustrated on the flag being held in the safe, or the one being taken out of the safe by the two men.  The reason for the missing stars can be explained from the panel above, with the blue group keeping the flag in a safe.  Representing the upper class, they are keeping the red group from their right, thus diminishing the idea of unity in America. The reader can make a note that the men guarding the flag appear frightened, which can be the source of wanting to oppress people.  The two men taking the flag out of the safe are the struggles of the underrepresented finally gaining their rights.  In the bottom half of the middle panel, the white background can be a portrayal of unity between the different people illustrated in the panel.  Unlike the upper panel, the people are peacefully standing shoulder to shoulder as a nation, while admiring the flag.  This exemplifies the distance that the people of America have traveled for something as basic as the rights in their own county. 
