Tom Dickinson’s Ferguson, Uncensored explores the hard times that were experienced in Ferguson, Missouri during fall 2014. He represents these events with a picture of a single African American man standing with this hands above his head while being pursued by six law enforcement representatives. The African American has his back to the picture and his hands signal the “hands up, don’t shoot” campaign; he is wearing casual clothes (jeans and a t-shirt) and a hat. On the other hand, the law enforcement is dressed in full protection, helmet and all. They look to be approaching the man, aiming their guns at him. In this well-known photograph, Tom Dickinson purposely chooses this picture to represent his work to support the controversial topic: police abuse their power. 

An event can be photographed from a million different angles, and each angle can have a different meaning. The image chosen by Dickinson captures police abusing their power, because from a viewer’s standpoint it looks as if the single man is doing no harm, while several police are targeting him. Having the image leave out those around him and not knowing the events that led up to these actions suggest to the reader that the police are at fault. Perhaps there are more people behind the single man pointing guns at police that the viewer of picture will never see. The perception and details that could be missing from this picture, suggest that Dickinson purposely choose this picture to play into the idea that police abuse their power towards certain minority groups.

The photograph used in Dickinson’s Ferguson, Uncensored is shot at eyelevel with the event, giving the viewer a more personal feel. It is as if the guns are pointed towards the camera and the viewer is a part of the action. Thus the viewer is now on the side being targeted, allowing for a sense of empathy for the targeted man. He does not appear to be a threat, but six police in full armor and guns aimed are approaching him. Also, in the background of this photo there are red panels against the wall of a close building. The red stands out as a pop of color, but red is correlated with war and blood which depicts the battle between law enforcement and minority groups. Although this most likely did not happen on purpose, the red color adds to the theme of the picture and events that took place in Ferguson. Therefore, when Dickinson uses this picture out of the many that were taken that week in Ferguson, it shows his supports and beliefs that police are abusing their power. 

This photograph shows the differences between law enforcement and minority groups that are believed to be targets. The law enforcement in this photo are fully equipped and armed while on the streets of Ferguson. Each having a helmet and bullet proof outfits prove their power over the unarmored man in this photo. Their power is seen as dominate and obsessive over the man who doesn’t appear to be doing anything or have anything that could be harmful. Even though the viewers of this picture will never know what happens after, it is assumed the police would win. This shows that in this photo police are over using their power when it seems to be unnecessary.  

Another key factor of this photo, is the blue mailbox which law enforcement officers are aligned with in the picture. On the mail box the words “fuck the police” are written in white. This is a powerful message to the law enforcement, most likely written by the minority group in anger of the events that have taken place. This message shows the feelings of the minority groups who are taking part in these riots. Having that messages as the only legible words in this photograph provide the viewer with a possibility of what type of events could have set off the officers and cause them to abuse their power in this photo. 

This picture represents everything the ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot’ campaign is fighting for. The single African American has both empty hands raised above his head, in a stance of surrender. Although, numerous police are still pursing him as though he is a threat. In the photograph the man is blurred, but the police are extremely clear. This is intended to focus the viewer’s attention on the police and the actions they are doing in this picture. Hands Up Don’t Shoot wants people to see that police are targeting minorities and abusing their power. Similarly, Dickinson uses this picture for his work to support the claims being made about law enforcement. 

Tom Dickinson deliberately uses this photo in Ferguson, Uncensored to support his thoughts that law enforcement is abusing their power and targeting minority groups. The alone African American, who seems to be no threat, is being approached by a large group of full armed law enforcement. This image took place in Ferguson during the riots after the death of Mike Brown in August 2014, but given only the picture it seems the police are at fault. The viewer of this photo is not given any details about events prior to this picture nor the reason this man is being targeted. As a viewer and knowing the back ground of this event, it is clear the position Dickinson takes on this topic.  Dickinson using this photo to represent his work proves his support in the ‘Hands Up Don’t Shoot’ campaign and the idea that law enforcement abuses their power. 
