PC (Extra)

I found this image interesting. There are two black, abstracted cartoon images in the image with a white background.  The figure on the left is standing and pointing downward.  The figure on the right is on its hands and knees with its head down, as if bowing.  The image on the left has the text “Political Correctness” written on the front of its torso.  This is a visually striking image because of the contrasting black and white colors.  The figures are simple, as is the background.  The message you get from visually analyzing the image is that the figure on the left has authority over the figure on the right who is “obligated” to bow down and worship or obey the figure standing above.  In other words, in society today, we humans are to bow down to a higher power which is society or societal rules, and be politically correct in our actions and speech.

Unity (Extra)

The image above has a white background, four different colored puzzle pieces in a circular pattern

and text.  Words are written on each puzzle piece and around the puzzle pieces.  The word "Unity" is int he middle of the puzzle pieces and in the middle of the frame. 

The words on the puzzle pieces are Religion, Nationality, Ethnicity and Language.  The world between and beside the puzzle pieces are Region, Race, Social Class, Sexuality Gender and Disability.  All of these words are associated with our identity as human beings.  Where we fit in each of these areas is important to our identy and how those around us perceive our identity.  

The fact that puzzle pieces visually seem to be able to connect to make one whole and the word Unity in the middle suggests that even though we are all different in many ways, it is possible for us all to live in unity, despite these differences.  One letter in Unity touch each of the puzzle pieces and visually unifies them.  

The image shows that these differences, or different puzzle pieces somehow scatter us or keep us from being one unit, but Unity is possible.

Anger in Politics (Extra)

This image consists of two cartoon characters on a plain white background.  The plain white, neutral background brings attention to  two elements in foreground.  These two elements are angry looking cartoon animals wearing boxing gloves, which have text on them.

The cartoon image on the left side of the frame is an elephant, which is the symbol for the GOP or Republican Party.  Visually analyzing the expression on the face of the elephant, we see he is angry.  The elephant has a furrowed brow and clinched teeth. The elephant is wearing boxing gloves which are blue. This is interesting since red is the color we generally associate with the Republican Party.  Perhaps the image was created before 2000 when we started associating red with this party.  GOP is written on the right boxing glove of the elephant.  I find this interesting, as those associated with the Republican parts are seen as more conservative or right winged.  They are on the right side of the spectrun which goes from extreme liberal on the left to extreme conservative on the right.  I associate the text on the right glove with this fact.

The cartoon image on the right side of the frame is a donkey, which is the symbol for the Democratic Party.  Visually analyzing the expression on the face of the donkey, we see he is also angry.  The donkey also has a furrowed brow and clinched teeth. The donkey is wearing boxing gloves which are red. Like the gloves on the elephant, this is not the color  we generally associate with the Deocratic Party.  DEMO, short for democratic, is written on the left boxing glove of the donkey.  As with the text being on the right glove of the elephant,  I associate the text on the left glove with this fact that those associated with the Democratic Party are more left winged or liberal in their beliefs.

When we analyze the image with all of it's components, we see it is an image of anger and conflict.  The Republicans are fighting with and angry with the Democrats and vise versa. This sheds a negative light on the state of political affiars in the United States today.

Start Talking. Start Learning.

This image consists of text and an image of a female cartoon character.  The text is in three different colors, fonts and sizes in three different areas of the image.

The female cartoon character in the left middle portion of the frame.  The is giving several non verbal cues that she is serious or stern in what she is saying and that she is attempting to make a serious point.  First she is standing with one hand on her hip.  Secondly, her eyebrous are raised.  Thirdly, her lips are pursed together.  Lastly, she is holding her index finger up, which is a hand gesture associated with someone making a point or stating their position on an issue.

The first area of test is the question at the top of the frame.  It is in bold, yellow capital letters and asks the queestion “EVER WONDER WHY?.  This text is what we read first, as we read left to right and top to bottom.  It is in bold bright colors to get our attention.  It is first, because it is the first part of the question presented by the image.

The text in the blue speech bubble beside the female character is “It’s not polite to talk religion and politics..”  This text is a continuation of the question asked in the bold yellow text, so the question posed by the image or the female figure in the image is “Ever wonder why it’s not polite to talk religion or politics?.  The black text shows up clearly against the light blue speech bubble.

The third area of text is bottom quarter of the image.  This text in is white on a black background.  Like the other two areas of text, the colors allow the text to be easily read.  It states “It’s no wonder the state of politics and religion in this country are so SCREWED UP.  We’ve been taught not to think twice about either.  Start Talking.  Start Learning.”  

Analyzing all of the elements of the image together we get the message or intent of the image.  The female in the image is questioning the age old rule of never talking politics or religion.  The intended message of this image is that not talking abou these two issues has caused the state of both to be “SCREWED UP.” If we as individuals. and a nation, start learning about both politics and religion,  we will becomr more well informed and less ignorant about both subjects. If we learn about them, we can have intelligent conversations about both and start resolving issues surrounding both.  We should all start talking and start learning.

Fed Up with Hearing about Politics

This image has three components.  First is the cartoon image of a close up of a female, second is the text "Politics" in a thought bubble above her head.  Last is the background which is different shades of gray and is in a gridded and gradiated pattern.  This image is obviously a political one because it has the word politics in the thought bubble.   

The image is related to this female, and possible the female gender, and to her or their thoughts on politics.  Her gestures in the image or the non-verbal cues give us more information about the possible message of the image.  The female is covering her ears, which is universally recognized as a nonverbal cue, which means I don’t want to listen to this or I have heard enough and do not want to hear anymore.  She is also looking up and has her mouth open.  Her facial expression is one which shows frustration or that she is fed up with something.  Adding all of these visual elements together we can surmise the meaning of the.  This woman is covering her ears and looking frustrated because she if fed up with hearing about politics and is attempting to drown out conversation related to politics. 

The Politics of Race and Gender

This image consists of 3 elements, These three elements are a female cartoon figure on the left, a female cartoon figure on the right and text over each of their heads.

The  female cartoon figure on the left side of the frame is holding a microphone near the mouth of the female cartoon figure on the right side of the frame.  

The female cartoon figure on the right side of the frame is holding her purse in one hand and holding her other hand up to her mouth in a gesture that shows surprise or shock.  

 If you visually analyze just the two female cartoon characters, you can see that one is taller, one has lighter hair, one has darker skin and one’s mouth is open while the other’s is in a sort of frown. It is easy to surmise that the female figure on the left is a news anchor or an individual conducting an interview, because she is holding the microphone in her hand and holding it near the mouth of the lady on the right. 

It is not until you read the text that full meaning of the image is brought to light.  After reading the text, it is clear that the image is a political one. First, It is political because it is referring to two political candidates, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, who were running against each other for the office of President of the United States of America.  Second, it is political because it deals with the politics of race and gender.  The female figure on the left asks a question which implies that the only reason the lady on the right would vote for either candidate was because of the color of their skin or their gender.  This text also raises the issue of  political ignorance vs. political awareness.  The female on the left is assuming that the female on the right is politically ignorant and would only vote for a candidate because of race or gender while she herself is the one who is displaying an ignorance relating to political correctness by assuming the lady on the right, either because she is a female or because she has darker skin, would not vote for a candidate because of their stance on issues.