Following the uproar of racial tension in Ferguson, Missouri, American political writer Tim Dickinson released the photo essay titled, Ferguson, Uncensored. Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old, was shot and killed by police; this sparked the great tension our country saw violence and debate that was incomparable to what we have seen in the past. This photo essay has given the public a different view of these protests as a whole, as well as the racial problems our country faces. Dickinson’s essay displays themes and elements that have a dramatic impact on the audience and convey a strong message. Specific photos in this essay, the theme of surrender is clearly shown through the visual motifs. These have a strong impact on the reader and display this theme in a way that causes the reader to raise questions. Religious aspects of these photos are also used to convey the theme of surrender to the audience and serve again to show a different side of these protests. Dickinson’s use of the “Hands Up, Don't Shoot” motif displays to the audience the theme of surrender, this depicts a picture that is much larger than just the sole incidents in Ferguson.

In light of the events in Ferguson, Dickinson took this opportunity and chose specific photos that convey a deeper meaning than what is solely seen at first glance. Surrender is seen throughout this photo essay, but can be pin-pointed to specific visual motifs. “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” is said to be Mike Brown’s last words before being shot six times, from his head to arm. This statement became a movement and made it’s way to social media causing much uproar on sites such as Twitter and Facebook; #handsupdontshoot was tweeted millions of times and this caused for much familiarity within the Mike Brown case. Michael Brown’s actions, and then these actions shown in this image displays a message that has already been depicted to society in other aspects of our lives, some by the use of these media platforms. These photos depicts an act of surrender, and display gestures of peace to those who view. It displays grievance, which Dickinson says during this essay and all these feelings are ones that are felt by the audience. This familiarity is the reason certain photos such as, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” and the cover photo for this essay were chosen; they were chosen to have such significant impact on th audience. 

The visual motif of the protesters with their hands in the air shows a clear theme that is displayed to the audience. The motif completely relates to the message that is being shown throughout the essay’s entirety. This message is telling readers to take a closer look into the events in Ferguson and the way in which protestors and those supporting, are in complete surrender to the cause and feel as though there is nothing they can do to bring upon change. This forces the audience to see the protests from a different perspective, and shows the somewhat peaceful nature of the protesters. The visual element of hands in the air is so easily recognizable that this causes the audience to immediately make the connection and relate it to the phrase that was spoken. This use of the motif directly impacts the audience’s emotions and reactions to not only these specific pictures, but the events as a whole. The audience feels a sense of empathy for those affected and for Mike Brown himself, being able to picture him doing this gesture as well.

The photo titled, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” uses the gesture to appeal to emotions, but uses specific colors and color contrast to also appeal to these emotions. The man approaching the police wearing the brightly colored shirt directly contrasts the police officer’s dark uniforms and completely masked bodies. It draws the attention to the way in which they are dressed; as if they are going into war opposed to a suburb in Missouri. Not only does the blue shirt stand out opposed to the dark colors, but it also is in contrast with the large orange doors in the background. This only further directs the attention to the man in the blue shirt and allows for more analysis to be made about this situation. These colors are used to appeal to the emotions of the audience, and this is done by using the bright colors to display a safe and friendly aura from this man. When viewing the contrast in colors, the audience associates the brightness with positivity and happiness. These colors are used in a way that only contribute the idea to the audience that the protesters do not want to be seen as a ‘bad force’.

The visual motif, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot”, also allows the audience to connect this with religion that is used by Dickinson to show a different perspective of the Ferguson protests. The opening picture shows an African-American man still holding his hands in the air, as seen in other photos, but also with his head bowed and eyes closed. Due to the blurriness of the background of the picture, the audience’s eyes are directly brought to the center of the image and this causes them to sense the peace that Dickinson worked to display. This visual motif is easily recognizable to those who practice prayer, and this can also be associated with surrender which many people practice prayer in a way that is a surrender to God. This photo is demanding the audience to notice the peace on the man’s face with his eyes closed and head titled downwards, and after noticing this, the audience in then drawn to his arms which are towards the sky. Dickinson chose this picture because that motif was found even in the blurred background, which also has a strong effect on the audience. Those who are not the center of focus, are shown to be displaying the same motion and remaining with their eyes closed as well. This only strengthens the emotions the readers felt at first glance from viewing the man in the center of the picture. This further displays the peaceful message and shows the side of the Ferguson protests that may have gone otherwise undocumented. 

All of these impacts of visual motifs are ones that get a clear message of surrender from the protestors across to the audience of this work. This side of the protests has gone unseen by many, and this essay spreads a side of this event that puts the protestors and their true feelings into the light. The appeal to emotions and way in which these emotions impact the reader as a whole, allows for these new insights about Ferguson to arise and possibly change the way others all over the country look at these protests. The theme of surrender and a sense of ‘giving up’ to the causes of the Michael Brown shooting is so apparent throughout this essay through visual components and create even a sort of call-to-action from the audience. Awareness to this situation and mistreatment of minorities, such as African-Americans, is brought upon from this photo essay. The display of surrender from the protestors is so apparent and these photos contain a much deeper message than what is only seen at first glance.
