“A picture is worth a thousand words.” We often hear this phrase, but do we really know the meaning of it? Pictures and still images are powerful tools that can evoke powerful emotions from the intended audience. The still image paints a vivid picture of calm; one woman’s calm, peaceful resolve amongst what seems to be a battlefield of heavily armed men. By standing her ground, this woman has made the decision to stay calm, be respectful and have a clear resolve of her position about the issue at hand. Her resolve can be compared to the great Mahatma Gandhi and his peaceful resistance to discrimination and tyrannical control. Gandhi achieved peace without the use of violence, and it seems this woman has ripped a page out of his book and has decided to follow his example. Can standing your ground and maintaining your resolve be accomplished in a peaceful manner? I believe so, and the still image proves this to be true.

What makes her stand so straight? In this simple question lies this woman’s reality. It is not simple defiance you see on her face, but clear resolve. From all views, this woman is alone. With onlookers far from a distance of intervention, she stands in front of a parade of men. The two who approach her have bent knees to better assert their weight and strength. What need have they against one woman in flats to have this extra leverage? Riot gear covers their entire bodies, but the woman is wearing a comfortable sleeveless dress. According to the imagery, this woman could be going to a movie, dinner, or some other social event, but there she stands. She stands ready to defend what she knows to be right; she stand for justice, and she stands against discrimination. Her simple act of peaceful resistance against her battalion of opposers send a clear message that she will not stand for discrimination; however, we can assert our right to freedom of assembly in a peaceful manner.

According to the Constitution, “ Human beings have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…. and the government’s job is to protect those rights.” The only real protection we see lies on her face. She has a pair of glasses donning her face, a pale comparison to the face shields in front of her. Is it righteous dignity that holds her pose, with her arms curved to accept the plastic bands that will bind her wrist? Or is it compliance? She maintains a deep understanding that nothing she does in this moment will benefit her in the least. She can do nothing but offer a humble bow to destiny. If they tie those restraints, will she notice the wind freely moving through her dress? Is she still as free as that wind that blows so calmly? The calmness with which she surrenders would make it seem that she is in fact free. 

What value is attached to her resolve? The issue must be great to warrant her posture. The issue must be deeply important to her and those who oppose her. There would be no other reason for them to have their plastic bands at the ready. They are manacles nonetheless. They are bindings meant to take away the freedom of her hands. Her feet are steadfast. The black clad army has its hands raised to grad or strike. But what exactly do they need to strike? Why exactly is this woman such a threat? Is it because she stands ready and willing to accept whatever destiny holds for her in the face of discrimination and injustice? Yes, she is ready to accept plastic chains if necessary to show that even in a peaceful assembly, some people are still considered the enemy. The large bags on the backs of these men would be too shallow to hold their conscience if they deem this woman a threat. If she could look at this picture, she would be grateful, for there are no guns drawn in this moment. She would have to be blind to not see the wall of people obstructing her path. But then, why would a blind woman need glasses? She is no more blind to where she is, than the tree in the near distance not knowing it is rooted to the ground. 

Another key point to note is, the clear line that divides her from the army of men she stands before. The light shines upon her like a bright sunny day but directly in front of her we notice a clear divide as a dark line emerges. The thick overshadow of the line is so apparent it is very reminiscent of the line in the sand between good and evil. With the light at her back and the dimness in front, it is either the beginning of her day or the end. People say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I wonder if she sees the end of her proverbial road. I wonder if that is why she stands so still. I wonder if she would have quickened her resolve--before she took to the streets in peaceful protest--if she had known that her actions would be a beacon of hope for many.

Nothing seems to obstruct the path of the armored men; in their masks and armor they are anonymous. Unable to see the men’s faces, who could know the emotions coursing through them? What exactly are these heavily armed men feeling in this moment? Are they scared? Are they angered? Are they afraid? We do not know. The woman’s face is there, for the entire world to see, for all to judge. This simple point does not change the fact that there, in front of so many she stands. We see her, we feel her plight, and we want to stand there with her. We want to fight her fight; that is the emotion that she evokes, and we want to be there for her.

The effects of imagery and visual art can be a powerful tool. In this still imagery we witness one woman’s peaceful resolve against an army of men outfitted for war. The woman stood steadfast in her resistance against a battalion of soldiers, not knowing where she would end. What is clear, however are the reasons behind what she is doing. The woman stands firm against discrimination and racial injustice, as we all should. She gladly ripped a page from Mahatma Gandhi’s book and approached the day with peace and love.