19-B James Karales, Selma-to-Montgomery March for Voting Rights in 1965, 1965

19-B James Karales, Selma-to-Montgomery March for Voting Rights in 1965, 1965
 

Study this photograph and think about the kind of mood it sets.
- Locate two flags. Why does the American flag play a prominent role in this march? These people were marching for equal voting rights for African Americans in the United States. As citizens of the United States, African Americans wanted the same rights and opportunities as other Americans.
- Imagine where the photographer placed himself in order to take this picture. He was slightly below the marchers, looking up at them.
- What is in the background behind the marchers? A light sky with dark clouds is above the marchers.
- How does this viewpoint emphasize the message and drama of the scene? Karales makes the marchers look larger by tilting the camera up and creates drama by silhouetting the figures against the sky.
- Discuss how this image might lose some of its impact if buildings and trees were included in the background.
- How does the photographer suggest that there are many people participating in this march?
The camera angle exaggerates the perspective, making the line look as if it stretches into a great distance; we can’t see the end of the line because it continues behind the hill.
- What do the outstretched legs and thrust-back shoulders of the three leading marchers suggest about their attitude? They seem young, determined, and strong.
- Pay attention to the legs of the leading marchers. Apparently they are marching together in unison.
- What do the clouds overhead suggest? There is the possibility of a storm. The clouds may also symbolize the oppression of racism, the ugliness of inequality, and/or the potential violence looming ahead of the marchers.
- Discuss why the publication of this photograph and others like it in magazines and newspapers helped the movement for civil rights in the United States.

Compare this photograph to Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" painting:
Themes: both center on themes of equality and freedom: the equality of all men (and women) in the United States, and the freedom to speak one's mind and participate in democracy.
Both images feature normal, everyday people exercising their rights as citizens.
Both images were published in magazines, intended for many people to see.
Both images were intended to stir patriotic sentiments and mobilize people for action.