The images presented share a common theme showcasing people who are passionately protesting the ways of police across the United States. These images are able to convey a message of the people’s unsettling thoughts about police brutality and the changes they would like to see in this nation. While each picture can be seen as having the same message, each individual image is able to be broken down to show different details within the movements.

The first image shows of a recent protest held in Charlotte, North Carolina against the shooting of a citizen by a police officer. The photographer of this image was able to capture a large portion of the nation’s views between the interactions of citizens and law enforcement. The positioning of the citizen shows an assertive stance facing the police officers. The line of police dressed fully in raid gear shows assertion and dominance over any situation that may arise. The position of the photographer also plays a key role in the interpretation of this image. There are no faces shown in this image. Without faces, emotions are not able to be presented easily. All of the emotion seen within this image can be found through body language. The stance of the citizen is that of an assertive dominance while also showing that they come in peace. Showing peace contradicts with the way the police are dressed. While the citizen is unarmed and showing peace, the officers are prepared for the extreme opposite. The image was also taken late at night with the only light being shown from the blurred street lights in the background. The colors, stances, and body language presented in this image depict the nations feelings towards the relationship between law enforcement and the citizens.

The second image taken in Atlanta, Georgia is of a similar angle to the image taken in Charlotte, North Carolina. This image shows a little more light, different body positions, and the emotions expressed on both the officers and citizen’s faces. The officer’s clothing is more relaxed as well as the woman and man standing there. The woman has her hands up, making herself noticeable in the presence of law enforcement. The position of the photographer looks as if was taken by another protestor. This adds the feeling as if the reader is at the protest. The angle is from a slight bird eye view peering over the man’s shoulder. This angle was able to present the emotions of two protestors as well as the police. It is also noticed that the protest was held near a grocery store parking lot; a common area of town for people to gather to easily. This image portrays the typical message that is being spread across the country.

The Chicago, Illinois protest shows a very different way of protesting. Many faces are shown giving an indication of the feelings circulating at this protest. The stop sign placed above the protestors was turned into “cops stop killing us”. That seems to be one of the staples of this picture. It expresses the very essence of the protest. Unlike the other protests as seen in the previous images, the cop’s faces are not shown. The focus is placed on the mass of protestors, however, these protestors are not being vocal. There is one women speaking for all of these people while the rest of them record videos on their phones. Her face and body display anger and a strong sense of opinion. The bystanders to this woman seem engaged in the matter as well yet less vocal. The police on the other hand, seem to have no interest to what is being said. No contact can be seen in this picture between either sides suggesting a peaceful protest at this point. This image is far from the other works displayed. The angle of this photograph focuses on the protestors rather than the police. There is a large group as well, rather than a single person taking a stance. There are no dominant positions shown and no indication that they are attempting peace. This protest is an opinionated, vocal protest towards police rather than a strong statement made through body language by one person.

Vermont was also seen to have multiple protests in support for Black Lives Matter. The first image taken in Burlington, Vermont was set at the University of Vermont campus while the second is placed in Winooski. The University took a stance with student support against this matter. There are no police present at either of these protests unlike the other protests around the nation. Many faces are shown with neutral expressions in Burlington while many emotions are present in Winooski. The three people standing on the sidewalk show a variety of emotions. The man seems neutral, while the middle woman shows sadness and the woman to the left has anger spread across her face. These three different emotions captured in one picture summarizes the feelings present at other similar protests. In Burlington, their hands however, give a strong and powerful statement and act as a symbol to promote Black Lives Matter. The silent protest adds emphasis to the stance they are taking. Another important piece to this image is the level at which the flag stands. The flag was placed at the same height as both the state and the U.S. flag, indicating that is as important and prominent as the United States itself. The flag positioning, body stances and lack of law enforcement as seen in this image conveys a feeling of support rather than protest compared to the other images.

Although each image signifies different aspects of the movement, they are all able to portray the same overall idea. Between the five different images the faces of the protestors show a wide range of emotion that summarizes the feelings about the Black Lives Matter movement. The contrast between the clothing of the protestors versus law enforcement also makes a strong statement. A final common theme throughout the images as well was the position that the photograph was taken, focusing on the faces of the protestors. The images are able to come together and give a detailed summary of the Black Lives Matter movement through a strong visual analysis.
