Gabrielle Lutz
English 103
Ember Smith
Racism and Tolerance
Slavery, in America, was prominent and unquestioned until around 1808 when the importation of slaves from Africa was stopped. After this many other bans were set against slavery, such as the Missouri Compromise, and many challenges were made by the slaves themselves in attempt to be liberated. Eventually, as a form of rebuttal of these laws, the South formed the Confederacy, thus instigating the Civil War. After the Civil War came to a close and President Lincoln was assassinated, in 1865, the 13th Amendment was written abolishing slavery throughout the United States. This ban however was not received well by those in the South that relied on the African slaves to aid them in farming and housework. Laws such as the Jim Crowe laws, and cults and terrorist groups were formed in response, and became a major threat to the African community.
Although the slaves were emancipated there was a clear divide in society between the blacks and whites. Separate schools, restaurants, bathrooms, and shops were established for black and whites. The segregation was so prominent and cults were raging to the point that it was almost more unsafe for Africans to be out of slavery than in enslavement again. As mentioned before the Jim Crowe laws, or white supremacy laws, were formed in the early nineteen hundreds. These laws were a way of life for those who abided by them. They included laws such as blacks having segregated restrooms, stores, and practically no freedom from their masters. “Whites were superior to Blacks in all important ways, including but not limited to 
intelligence, morality, and civilized behavior.” This picture is an example of the signs that were everywhere in the South, making clear that the Blacks, or Colored, were clearly segregated from the White race.
This picture appeals to the pathos of its viewers. The divide between the Whites from the African Americans was so severe that the Whites could not share the something as simple as a drinking fountain with the African Americans. The arrows aim to literally show where each race should drink from, but they are also an indicator of the separation of these two groups. The African American community felt a great sense of humiliation because of these rules, which made them ride in the backs of cars only, not show public affection, not shake a white mans hand, etc. Although they were free from slavery, they were not free from the constant interrogation and denunciation from the Whites.
Many cults were formed and the largest and most well known of these cults was the KKK, or Ku Klux Klan, founded by the Confederate Army veterans. The KKK preaches white supremacy and hatred, not only against Africans but also those of Jewish and Catholic beliefs. Actions they take to prove their supremacy include mass murders and lynchings of those that are not part of the Klan, or group. Today, there are thought to still be 150 chapters of this terrorist group in circulation.
This picture above appeals to ones pathos, or emotions. It targets those who felt or feel agony for all of those who were persecuted by the members of the KKK. The colors used in the picture are used as a visual tool. The basic colors of grays and blacks emphasize mysteriousness about the photo. The solid black background causes the white KKK hood to stand out and be the focal point of the picture. The word Racism is also highlighted in this picture, as it is the only text in color. Oranges and yellows are used to display this word as almost fire like image. The yellow color is used to highlight and surround the text, giving the word racism an almost three-dimensional effect. Fire, is significant in the association to the KKK because they burnt many of their victims as a form of torture.
In addition to the colors in this photo, the features of the man’s eyes beneath the hood are visually pertinent. The stern glaze that is depicted can be interpreted as one of hate. His gaze, which stares right into the viewers eyes, is seen as a form of intimidation. His contemplative look in his eyes shows no remorse, which suggests that the members of the KKK are perfectly content with their actions against all those who are not white. Another visual feature in this picture is the smoke or fog that is rising around the man in the white hood. This smoke, which looks similar to the smoke generate by dry ice, used in plays and movies, gives the picture and eerie effect. The members of the KKK have been found meeting at night, and during the hot summer nights in the South, fog, similar to in the picture, forms when the heat of the day settles in the night. Fog also impairs vision significantly, thus the fog in this poster aims to hide the secret group in the night. The members of the KKK are not being only literally hidden, but one can assume it refers to the metaphorical hiding of the KKK member’s identity. By wearing the white hoods the secrecy of the members are protected.
The statement, “If only it were this easy to spot”, alludes to the fact that racism is present in the world today, yet it is not as obvious and visible as in this picture. Although groups such as the KKK are clearly not as prominent as they were in the years following the Civil War, there are still multiple underground terrorist groups within the United States. This text appeals to people’s sense of logos, or reason. This is a very basic statement, yet it is profound in its simplicity. Now in the twenty first century, when segregation no longer exists, it is more socially acceptable to talk about racism and the issues that arise from it. America has become more multicultural due to the large amount of people coming into America, 
the promise land, to live what they like to call, the America dream. Interracial marriages, that were disgraceful only thirty or so years ago, are now becoming common. These multicultural families that are now forming, are teaching the children of today a good lesson in that race does not matter, and that a human is a human no matter their skin color.
This picture emphasizes the theme of unity as a global nation. The first picture addressed the issue of racism that was seen particularly in the south, in correlation with the KKK, and this picture however could be viewed in a more universal sense appealing to those all over the world. This picture draws upon people’s emotions, or pathos. Especially in recent times of world troubles like the terrorist attacks of 9-11, the bombings in India, the Grecian attacks on government, the Hezbollah, and the problems in the Middle East, this picture reminds everyone that we are one World that needs to come together peacefully, as one.
The primary visual aids in this picture are the action that the hands are performing and the colors of these hands. Multiple hands of different colors are lifting up the world, and they are doing it as a combined effort. Not one white, black, or tan colored hand is holding up the world on its own, they are all intermixed and intertwined within each other, in this effort to work together. This conveys the message to the viewer that the world consists of all these different races and there are such a variety of people that contribute to the world’s economy, technological research, etc. For example, America does trade with a multitude of nations. India and China have large factories that produce a lot of the clothes and other products that are consumed in America. Food is also shipped from these different countries, as the weather may be unsuitable to grow that specific crop in the states. We, as a country, rely on the other countries for the consistency of their products.
The colors in this picture are crucial in conveying the theme of unity and oneness. The viewer is first drawn to the colors of the hands holding up the Earth. There are all shades of skin present, thus representing people from all nations. The hands are serving as the axis the Earth has as it rotates in the solar system. These hands from all different origins, are allowing the Earth to spin and function properly. Without the hands, the axis, the Earth would eventually fall out of its orbit. The crisp colors on the Earth and the blue sky around it symbolize a promising future for the world as integrated community. The blue sky is a calming color and alludes to the feeling of peace.
Although this picture is rather elementary, much can be interpreted from the picture. This picture can be shown to all ages and one would be able to interpret that the Earth is multicultural. The picture shows a tolerance of all races, which can be contrasted by the second picture of the man in the KKK hood. The second picture had colors that were dark and dreary and showed no signs of hope, however this second picture’s colors were much lighter and thus allowed the viewers to settle with a feeling of contentment.
I feel that the second picture is less relevant to society today, as tolerance and equality is obviously more prominent between races, religions, and genders than it was in the early 1900’s when the Civil War ended. It is still necessary that people are aware of the difficulties America experienced in the past, in order for people to have a greater appreciations of the freedom and impartiality that is seen today.
