           On the evening of August 9, 2014, a colored 18 year old man by the name of Michel Brown was fatally shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Almost everyone in the country has heard news of the issue by now, but more importantly news of the uproar which followed. The questionable nature of the killing immediately sparked protest throughout the predominately black Missouri city, where citizens wanted justice in regard to racist police brutality. The media flocked toward the riots, covering the story from various angles; most however appeared bias to some extent. Rolling stone Journalist Tim Dickinson attempts to present the protests from an entirely new angle in his short photo essay, Ferguson, Uncensored. The piece, featuring images from Scott Olsen, utilizes visual elements and symbolism to expose the true emotions and motive on the front lines of the Ferguson Protests. Titles “images the police don't want you to see” , Dickinson does not disappoint does not disappoint.

 Often the value of Dickinson’s' carefully selected images is most visible through their symbolic elements. Image number one in the gallery depicts the inside of a small church from within the isles. Viewer attention is immediately directed toward an older, colored man seated in the crowd. The gentleman gazes past the camera with a somber, tired expression. His cheeks and forehead feature deep wrinkles further amplifying the emotions. What can be seen of the audience appears left out of focus, aiding in directing all attention to the gentleman. Despite the simple nature of our protagonist here, this man was not chosen at random to be featured. His expression exemplifies African Americans exhaustion with mistreatment. The race as a whole has been drafted into a fight for equal treatment spanning back generations. Even in 2016 colored children are forced to look at their nations history and learn they were once regarded to as inferior.. Racism has taxed a percentage of Americans for far too long, backing them into a conner. This is shown in the man’s expression which does not evoke any urge to fight, but rather a desperation for peace, reminding the world of Ferguson protesters true intention, equal treatment. Without considering the symbolic value of Olsen’s image here, this revelation is difficult. 

I Argue that in order to truly understand a persons motives, you must visualize their environment. Dickinson helps us to accomplish this through this photo Essay. Image fourteen, in particular, shows a young colored man standing in the street with a white gas mask strapped firmly to his face; an unfortunately common sighting throughout the protests.  Police chose to use tear gas often, prompting demonstrators to wear masks as a precautionary measure. The fact that citizens felt the need to seek protection while simply arguing their own rights symbolizes the fear carried by many colored citizens everyday.  It is no secrete that certain police officers will act harsher toward colored individuals, purely out of prejudice. Citizens of a country which claims to promote freedom and democracy should not have to live daily life in constant fear of mistreatment based purely color. They should feel comfortable taking the mask off, to live without a constant fear of those assigned to protect them. Unfortunately, with current law enforcement standards that is not the case. Regardless, this is a blatant example of Dickinson’s utilization of symbolic elements once again allowing us to view the protests through a new lens.

Through the photo essay, Dickson is successful in portraying the photos from an angle which appeals to all humans emotionally. Symbolism aside the use of a gas masks throughout the protests was certainly not unwarranted. Police and other special forces utilized tear gas in an attempt to control the violence and disperse large crowds. Unfortunately, Many demonstrators were not lucky enough to have protective gear, and suffered accordingly. Image number twelve of the gallery presents viewers with just one of these victims. A female victim, effected by the gas, rests on her knees while another colored citizen can be seen pouring water into her eyes in an attempt to help. In most forms of literature water holds symbolic value as a cleanser of the soul. After all, without water there is no life. This image gives the liquid a cleansing value both literally and fugitively. The victim of the gas clearly appears to be in some pain, the water acting as her only form of relief. While certainly open for interpretation, the image appears to represent the necessity of cleansing our selves and our nation as a hole. Once again Dickinson’s utilization of symbolic elements through photo allows us to view the protests from a new perspective. 

During the infamous Ferguson protests News outlets everywhere questioned the methods utilized by those fighting for their rights. Images of mass looting and armed robberies flashed across American televisions, depicting protesters as malicious animals. Yes, some may have taken it too far, but while blatant acts of violence are certainly hard to justify perhaps law enforcement received a very small taste of their own medicine. Mistakes have been on all accounts, but if America wants to improve the nation as a whole must work toward an end of racial injustices. Citizens must realize the argument portrayed through Tim Dickinson’s photo essay, synthesize with the other side, and work toward resolve. Simply ignoring the topic or arresting protesters only puts a bandaid over the issue of prejudice America has faced for years. The people and their protectors must collectively seek improvement, or those simply born a different color may never find justice.
