Annotated Bib #2 Kaitlyn Bavuso

Observation:

      There is African American woman standing in front of an American Flag. She is dressed in polka dot dress. She did not button two of the buttons on her dress. She is holding a broom on her left hand. There is mop on her right hand side in the background. Her face is very serious and is pouting. Her eye direction is not facing the camera, but looking off to the left hand side. She is also wearing glasses.

Inference:

      From analyzing this photograph, it is very simple, but very effective in relaying a certain political message. I gather that this woman is an African American citizen. She is government charwoman, according to the caption, who works hard because she has a broom in one hand and off to her left is a mop. According to a biography about Parks, he would often photograph low-income black neighborhoods in and around the city of Chicago. (Biography of Gordon Parks). This could also be compelling to him, as he too was born into a poverty-stricken lifestyle. (Gordon Parks Foundation). She has pout on her face, which could infer that she does not necessarily like her job, but it probably pays the bills.  The way she is looking off to the left rather than directly at the camera could impose that she feels inadequate and in superior. It was taken during 1941, which was a time when segregation was still implemented. The contrast of backdrop of the American Flag, and her facial expression indicates her opinion of segregation and racism during this time period.  The way in which her mouth is posed demonstrates her annoyance and defeat of not possessing her potential freedom. Parks was notorious for exposing the social, political, and economic impact of racism in his photographs. (Gordon Parks Foundation).  Her attire seems very formal, but what is interesting is the fact that she did not button two of the button on her dress. This could justify that she is defiant and rebellious against to segregation and racism during this time period. Park’s photograph indicates the political struggle between freedom and African American stereotypes.

"Biography of Gordon Parks." Bio.com. Ed. Biography. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/gordon-parks-37379

"Biography." Gordon Parks Biography. - The Gordon Parks Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2015. <http://www.gordonparksfoundation.org/about/biography>.