The images presented in the photo essay Movements Sweeping the Nation 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.  When looking closely at the pictures representing the movement, an analysis can be done to show the meanings of the position the photographer chose to capture the image, the emotions seen on the protestors faces, and how the police are either able to show peace or dominance in their stance. 

The first image shows 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 a submissive yet also assertive stance facing the police officers. Looking at this without going in depth may seem submissive by the way the protestor looks as if they are conforming to authority by standing with her arms behind her head. However, the stance is assertive in the context of the protest. This stance is a key symbol in the Black Lives Matter movement. This stance shows the subject putting their hands up and signaling to the officers that they come in peace and to not shoot. This symbol shows the audience that these protestors are taking a stand and showing that they will not be taken down by police forces. The line of police dressed fully in raid gear shows assertion and dominance over any situation that may arise. These protests, in times past, have turned violent. Although the majority of protestors mean no harm, it is the duty of the police to keep the community safe in case violence amongst people occurs. 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 differences of emotions expressed on both the officers and citizen’s faces. The officer’s clothing is more relaxed compared to the first image where they wore raid gear. The slumped shoulders of the officer’s and the placement of hands resting on the belts give a more peaceful feel to the protest. The woman has her hands up, making herself noticeable in the presence of law enforcement. The raised hands indicate peace and that she means no harm; a strong, repeated motion in many movements. The position of the photographer looks as if was taken by another protestor. This adds the feeling as if the reader is taking part in the protest and is experiencing the view firsthand. The angle is from a slight bird eye view peering over a 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 easily. The emotions and actions displayed portray the typical message that is being spread across the country: black lives do matter.

The Chicago, Illinois protest shows a different way of protesting the same message. Many faces are shown giving an indication of the feelings circulating at this protest. The focus is placed on the mass of protestors. The bystanders to the main subject of the image, the woman pointing her finger, seem engaged in the matter as well yet less vocal. There is one women speaking for all of these people while the rest of them record videos on their phones. This is a common theme among assemblies in order to spread the word and inform viewers of what is happening regarding the movements and its protests. Her face and body display anger and a strong sense of opinion. The woman that is the main subject of the photo has her head tilted back with her mouth wide open. She is screaming her thoughts and opinions at the officers. Her stance also adds effect to the point she is making; black lives matter. Her head is slightly ahead of her body with her index finger pointing at an officer’s face. All of these signals she is making with her body show frustration and rage. The stop sign placed above the protestors was turned into “cops STOP killing us”. That sign is one of the key 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 police seem to have no interest to what is being said and are there simply to stop violence if it arises. No contact can be seen in this picture between either sides suggesting a peaceful protest at this point in the assembly. This image is far different 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 (a smaller town on the outskirts of Burlington). The University took a stance with student support for 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 faces containing sadness, rage, and support of the movement are present in Winooski. The three people standing on the sidewalk in Winooski 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 summarize the feelings present at other similar protests. The signs held add more emotions as well. Each sign reads further into the thoughts of the protestors and their ideas on police brutality and Black Lives Matter. 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 Black Lives Matter 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 convey a feeling of support rather than objection compared to the other images.

Although each image signifies different aspects of the movement, they are all able to portray the same overall idea being that Black Lives Matter and police brutality is present. Between the five different images the faces of the protestors show a wide range of emotion between outrage and support that summarize the feelings about the Black Lives Matter movement. The contrast between the clothing of the protestors versus law enforcement also makes a strong statement regarding authority and power. A final common theme throughout the images 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.
