Tom Dickinson’s Ferguson, Uncensored explores brutal 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. His figure is blurred compared to the background and law enforcement behind him. 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 directly him. Tom Dickinson purposely chooses this well- known photograph from this time period 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. This image chosen by Dickinson captures police abusing their power, because from a viewer’s standpoint it looks as if the lone man is doing no harm, while several police are using him as a target. The man has his back to the camera while viewers can fully see the faces and details of the officers. The viewer of the picture will never know the man’s facial expression. He could be scared, crying, or even yelling at the police, but not knowing leaves room for interpretation.  Having the image leave out those possibly surrounding 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 chose 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 perception. 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 pursuing him. If the photo was shoot at a birds-eye-view it would take away from the emotion and intensity of this picture. 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 view of events. 

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 protected 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 appears to be harmless. Even though the viewers of this picture will never know what happens after, it is assumed the police would win. As seen in the unequal levels of protection, this photo supports the claims that law enforcement abuses their power.

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, which pops from the dark blue background. This is a powerful message to the law enforcement, and most likely written by the minority group out of anger. This message exhibits the feelings of the minority groups who are known to be taking part in these riots. Having that message as the only legible words in this photograph, provide the viewer with a possibility of the 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 treating him as a threat to society. 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. Not the actions the man could possibly have done or may do. 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 thought that law enforcement takes advantage of their power and target minority groups. The lone African American male, who seems to be no threat, is being approached by a large group of fully equipped law enforcement. The image took place in Ferguson during the riots following 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 or after 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 sensitive 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. 
