A picture paints a thousand words without having to use any words. Some pictures point directly to the intended message while others leave it up to debate for the audience. However, Kim Kyung Hoon captures a powerful picture of a migrant family running from the tear gas at the border. Without using any words or forms of persuasion the photographer is able to capture the sad reality that many Americans ignore, and it is found through a series of analysis. In one simple image that is not staged Hoon was able to move millions just by capturing the chaotic setting from the children falling to the fear in the mother’s eyes. The American flag in the background and the border that is not too far away play a significant role.
On November 25, 2018 tear gas was thrown at the border between the United States and Mexico. President Trump is well known for his strong beliefs against immigration and issues with the border. He is not afraid to hold back on his opinions that go with that as well as pushing to build a wall. As a result, he ordered the tear gas to be thrown which caused thousands of families to frantically run away and also get arrested. One specific family, the Meza family, were traveling from Honduras searching for a better life and hoping to escape the terrible violence and poverty. Kim Kyung Hoon, a Veterans Reuter photographer, was traveling alongside the migrants when he captured the chaotic and saddening image of the Meza family. The mother is seen trying to get her two twins up while others stand around in the background.
The image went viral for many reasons and did not need an explanation in order to do so. The viewer sees the poverty that the migrants are facing due to the two children at the focal point being without shoes and in diapers. Both children faces are covered with their hair, as they are seen falling. Their mother struggles to pick them up and her fear and frustration can be seen through her facial expression. On the left corner, the tear gas can be seen where it slowly makes its way throughout the scene. The family is the focal point at the center of the photo and behind them are clumps of people, some running while others are unsure of what is happening. The woman of the two children is wearing an Elsa shirt that states, “family forever”. Almost a bit ironic since she is saving her children. Another photographer is also seen in the background taking a separate image. Not too far away stands the border fence where men can be seen trying to get through. Then, behind them waves the American flag which also holds a bit of irony since this was an inhumane thing to do. The American flag holds an incredible amount of power since it is a nation that has freedom and is seen as a welcoming place. However, this incident contradicts what America stands for.
Hoon’s image went viral and many felt empathetic towards the incident, however, this visual text could be reconstructed in order to properly evoke the message. The photograph was sent out just by itself with no words included on it. After the image went viral, Hoon had an interview with Time Magazine where it states, “He adds that he does not want to tell people how to feel about the photograph, but hopes that it will bring the situation at the border greater attention” (Time, Law). It is up to the viewer to make the choice on what to believe and how to feel about the incident. Therefore, if one were to reconstruct the image in order to get the audience to feel bad for the migrants and show America’s actions as inhumane certain elements can be added. First, there could be police officers or other forms of agents included in the image in order to properly show them as the “bad guy”. They can all be lined up alongside the fence holding guns and not allowing the migrants to get through. By including the officers it helps to show that the situation was as bad as some made it seem. It is a controversial topic since technically what the migrants are doing is illegal, and in a way, the United States did have a right to do that. Therefore, the picture needs to involve more violent or chaotic aspects in order to show that what America did was wrong. As a result, another tear gas can be added to the image and even closer to the groups of people. The people can be running rather than standing around showing a strong sense of panic. More people can be seen falling or trampling over each other while parents carry their children.
Without using any words Hoon’s photograph of the migrant family getting tear gassed at the border went viral. This photograph captured what was going on behind the wall, and what many Americans choose to ignore. The President of the United States ,as well as many others, are calling these people bad and violent. However, they are the ones demonstrating those actions by throwing the tear gas rather than going about it in a peaceful manner. Innocent families who just wanted to have a better life were so close until they had to run for their lives. With the help of Time Magazine, Hoon was properly able to share his story as well as the family’s story that was in the photograph. It helps to demonstrate that what was done was not right, and this picture was only the beginning of the incident. More chaos occurred after it was taken since the picture was captured right when the first tear gas was thrown. The American flag should not be proudly standing in the background while women and children are fighting to live on the other side.
Works Cited
Law, Tara. “The Story Behind Photo of Family Running From Tear Gas at Border.” Time, Time, 27 Nov. 2018, time.com/5464560/caravan-mexico-border-iconic-photo/.
Words that come to life 