In 1955; shortly after Emmett Till was murdered by white supremacists in Mississippi; his grieving mother distributed to the press a gruesome photograph of his mutilated corpse. Asked why she would do this; she explained that by witnessing with their own eyes the brutality of segregation and racism; Americans would be more likely to support the cause of racial justice. “Let the world see what I’ve seen;†was her reply. The publication of the photograph inspired a generation of activists to join the civil rights movement.Despite this extraordinary episode; the story of visual culture’s role in the modern civil rights movement is rarely included in its history. This is the first comprehensive examination of the ways images mattered in the struggle; and it investigates a broad range of media including photography; television; film; magazines; newspapers; and advertising.These images were ever present and diverse: the startling footage of southern white aggression and black suffering that appeared night after night on television news programs; the photographs of black achievers and martyrs in Negro periodicals; the humble snapshot; no less powerful in its ability to edify and motivate. In each case; the war against racism was waged through pictures—millions of points of light; millions of potent weapons that forever changed a nation. Through vivid storytelling and incisive analysis; this powerful book allows us to see and understand the crucial role that visual culture played in forever changing a nation.
#199961 in Books 2004-07-11Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.14 x 1.52 x 6.18l; 1.77 #File Name: 0300105177592 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. America's Morality PlayBy Gregory J. Jemsek; authorMany people over the years have written about the influence of the Puritans. None of them; however; have drawn such a direct link from that influence to the way U.S. politics operates. That's a bit of a mystery since outside of the frontier itself; it is the Puritan "meta-narrative" that has most strongly shaped our excessively moralistic form of public debate. It's a meta-narrative that fuels itself through righteousness; and the author's emphasis on the Jeremiad as a weapon of that righteousness is one of many potent insights he brings to this historical conversation. The Jeremiad's focus on generating fear reflects an American culture so afraid of difference - in any form - that hopes for a more communitarian future remain much dimmer here than in most other countries in the world. So if we're to rid ourselves of the ghost of Cotton Mather; the first step is recognizing how deeply he and his Puritan brethren have skewed our societal discourse: a step ably taken by Dr. Morone in this important and readable book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An enjoyable look at the history of morality politics in AmericaBy Elizabeth T. SmithJames Morone traces the history of morality politics from the early colonial period to the present in this fascinating; lively book. Morone is a serious scholar on holiday here. History buffs will especially enjoy the author's marshaling of historical detail in his accounts of Puriitan morality; prohibition; purity crusades and the undercurrents of xenophobia.Mirine's book ha a serious undercurrent as well. As a historical institutionalist; he sees morality politics as path dependent; that is; the pattern of morality politics developed in earliest colonial America has persisted to the present day with periodic alterations to address the exigencies of new eras.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Religion-based rageBy MinnesotanHow horrifying to be reminded of our own religion-based rage. Not just intolerance for vice; but a rage not that far from ISIS.
