In today's social climate, many people express an "us versus them" mentality in regard to the police. It seems that every month brings another controversial police shooting, and with it, more protests. Those who protest these shootings claim that the use of lethal force in these situations was unwarranted and the result of racial discrimination. Meanwhile, the police continue to attempt balancing on a tight-rope between keeping the peace and excessive use of force. Though this dialogue is very much ongoing, this image of a protester, captured moments before her arrest, will likely be one of the iconic and defining images with which future generations will look back on this moment in time. The visual appearance of the subjects, the complete lack of visual symmetry, and the stark divide between the two halves of the image communicates the feelings of divisiveness between citizens and the police, and encapsulates the struggle of the two sides of this conflict to understand each other.

Immediately upon examining this image, you will notice a dramatic difference in the composure and appearance of the three people in the foreground. The two police on the left are obviously in motion, rushing towards the woman standing on the right. The woman appears to be unfazed by the action happening in front of her, perhaps even calm. Further adding to the sense of detachment that is evident from observing the woman, her dress can be seen flowing in the wind. This is the only indication in the entire image that there is any wind at all; it is as if she exists in a reality separate from the one in front of her. It is apparent that there is some conflict between the woman and the police, but they confront each other in very different ways. This contrasting imagery illustrates perfectly one of the main criticisms of the police: that they frequently use excessive force. There is no logical reason why two large policemen, in full riot gear, should be rushing towards an unarmed and unthreatening person, regardless of whether or not she is committing a crime. This woman is attempting to further a dialogue between law enforcement and the community through peaceful civil disobedience, but the police respond in a manner that seems overly forceful and totalitarian. Can a fair and balanced dialogue possibly occur when one side is positioned to oppress the other? This visual disconnect between the woman and her surrounding environment hints at the larger struggle of understanding that resides at the core of this issue.

Upon obtaining a larger perspective of the image, one will see the dramatic contrast between the image’s two halves. The left and right sides of the image seem as though they could be from separate photographs. On the left there are a dozen police dressed in riot gear, seemingly ready for battle. There is even a shadow cast on the ground by the wall of police. On the right there is a single woman standing calmly in the street. Behind her there is a large tree and several people wandering in the distance, and sunlight shines unobstructed onto the ground. In contrast to the presumed status quo: that police prevent and stop violence, the police appear to be the aggressors in this image. It is as if the left side of the image is going to war with the right. Because the right side of the image seems so peaceful, it is easy to sympathize with the woman. Has she done something so heinous as to warrant this kind of response from the police? The asymmetrical nature of this image very effectively skews the perspective of the viewer to be sympathetic to the woman’s plight, as we naturally want to help those who are mistreated by a more powerful entity. This apparent abuse of power supports the criticisms levied towards law enforcement by its critics, and it further illustrates the disconnect that exists between the police and the citizens that it is meant to protect.

One small detail that can be easily overlooked is the crack in the pavement directly in front of the woman; a physical divide between the two sides. Though this is, of course, a completely random coincidence, it is especially symbolic of the ideological divide that is at the center of this controversy, as well as the damage that it has done to the affected communities. The rift between minority communities and law enforcement has grown rapidly in recent years, though the problem may have always existed, only surfacing in the not so distant years since race relations have begun to improve. 

All of the visual elements in this image serve to make the audience sympathetic towards the woman. The lack of visual balance causes the viewer to feel as though the woman is being overpowered by the opposing police, and the contrasting mood of the two sides of the image highlights and exemplifies the imposing force of the police directed towards the woman. By magnifying the absurdity of the incident captured in this image, the audience is left with a greater appreciation for the lack of understanding that underlies this issue.