From the time of Yekl, the masses have been fascinated with the idea of the “American Dream.” However, in reality the “American Dream” that was so commonly sought after was not easily achievable. In fact, during the early twentieth century many Americans, especially African Americans, were far from attaining the picture perfect American lifestyle. From what I can gather about this particular photograph White by Margaret Bourke, Bourke is attempting to show the contrast of the perceived “American Dream” and what actually occurs in America, more specifically the inequality between Caucasians and African Americans. Bourke heightens the discrimination between the two races by depicting an “ideal” all American family in a billboard, complete with smiles an dog, while African Americans are waiting below in what presumably could be in line for food. It is this food line that many were forced to wait in could not be farther from the “American Dream.” Further enhancing the incapableness of African Americans to reach the American dream is the positioning of the letters on the billboard. The phrase “world’s highest standard of living,” appears far beyond the reach of any of the African Americans, almost suggesting that they cannot obtain the American standard of living. Furthermore, the saying “there’s no way like the American way” also appears above their heads enhancing the unobtainable, and also in a way segregating them from other Americans. It is the subtle but ever so present messages that depict just how the “American Dream” was exactly that, a dream, for many. - Megan B
This picture deals with racism and the idea that the "American Way" of life may not be for everyone. The one thing that I wanted to point out was the placement of the Ad of the white people. It is physically above the blacks and I think this is done on purpose. The white individuals in the car are smiling and are a happy family. It has the typical mom and dad, two kids and a dog. Below them are the blacks in line with stern and serious faces. They are waiting in line for this so called "American dream," yet it seems that it is something that is just an idea that they cannot have. The words the "Highest Standard of living" is almost out of reach for them physically, so it is not in their grasp. The billboard behind them is just a dream that these people seem to be waiting in line for, but it seems to be just a dream for these people. -Laura R
This picture has a lot of irony in it. There is a poster that shows a high standared of living as well as what is considered the american dream that supposidly be achieved but in front of the poster there are many people who will probably never see that dream come true for them. I also agree that that is racism shown in the picture as well. The billboard shows a typical white family and how that families american dream came true. Below the billboard are a group of african americans who are waitng in a line. Perhaps they are waiting in line to achieve the american dream that they see on the billboard?
oh wow this picture is just overflowing with irony that has been previously stated. The picture was taken in 1937, during the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights movement hadn't gotten its start yet. So it was a tough time at this point in history for African Americas because they were still being treated very unfairly despite winning independence decades before the fact and also because obviously it was tough to get a good job during the Great Depression, but it was even harder for African Americas to get a job during the time, because the few jobs that hired, for the most part hired white people. So I think this picture is showing that. There is also a lot of irony in the fact that the picture is depicting a middle-class white family, when during the Great Depression there was an even bigger gap between classes, and the middle-class was pretty much decimated. There was the very poor, the poor, and the rich stayed rich. And its showing how the "American Way" is to own a car and dog, and have a nicely dressed, well looked upon white middle-class family, which did not exist at the time, and this also goes back to the point earlier about African Americans, that even despite the fact that there was basically no white middle-class families(because even they became homeless for the most part)there was still harshness and racism towards African Americans.
This picture shows the stereotype of the "American Dream" and what is to be desired by coming into the United States. The top half of the photo shows an all white family--mother, father, daughter, son, and dog-- which is considered an All American family. While all of the family all seems happy and care-free, the people in the bottom half of the photo is anything but. All seem to be immigrants, and none appear to look all American. This is ironic because at this time, the United States was becoming increasingly diverse and it was more common to see many different backgrounds. Also unlike the family at the top, the people below look miserable. They're all waiting in line, as if applying for a chance to be part of this sought-after "American Dream." The billboard in the photo reads, "There's no way like the American way," and insinuates that those people are hoping to achieve that, yet the irony of it all makes it seem impossible.
"There's no way like the American way" and yet what exactly is America advertising here? A dream to live by? Sure, maybe for white-upper class-Americans, but not immigrants, that's for sure! You see, the government wants to advertise to all that we are a warm welcoming country who does not discriminate, which in fact we do. So lying becomes part of the game. Many of these immigrants looked at this advertisement and thought, "Hmm, nice family having a jolly good time on the road and are free to do what they want. Hey, maybe if I move to America it will be the same fore me!" and thus they packed up their lives and boarded a ship to racism, classism, sexism,and so on, unbeknownst to them. We gave them jobs for very low pay, we gave them a place to live, oh but we hope it won't bother you that another family or two is going to be sharing the same space. Life was not what they expected.
From the time of Yekl, the masses have been fascinated with the idea of the “American Dream.” However, in reality the “American Dream” that was so commonly sought after was not easily achievable. In fact, during the early twentieth century many Americans, especially African Americans, were far from attaining the picture perfect American lifestyle. From what I can gather about this particular photograph White by Margaret Bourke, Bourke is attempting to show the contrast of the perceived “American Dream” and what actually occurs in America, more specifically the inequality between Caucasians and African Americans. Bourke heightens the discrimination between the two races by depicting an “ideal” all American family in a billboard, complete with smiles an dog, while African Americans are waiting below in what presumably could be in line for food. It is this food line that many were forced to wait in could not be farther from the “American Dream.” Further enhancing the incapableness of African Americans to reach the American dream is the positioning of the letters on the billboard. The phrase “world’s highest standard of living,” appears far beyond the reach of any of the African Americans, almost suggesting that they cannot obtain the American standard of living. Furthermore, the saying “there’s no way like the American way” also appears above their heads enhancing the unobtainable, and also in a way segregating them from other Americans. It is the subtle but ever so present messages that depict just how the “American Dream” was exactly that, a dream, for many. - Megan B
ReplyDeleteThis picture deals with racism and the idea that the "American Way" of life may not be for everyone. The one thing that I wanted to point out was the placement of the Ad of the white people. It is physically above the blacks and I think this is done on purpose. The white individuals in the car are smiling and are a happy family. It has the typical mom and dad, two kids and a dog. Below them are the blacks in line with stern and serious faces. They are waiting in line for this so called "American dream," yet it seems that it is something that is just an idea that they cannot have. The words the "Highest Standard of living" is almost out of reach for them physically, so it is not in their grasp. The billboard behind them is just a dream that these people seem to be waiting in line for, but it seems to be just a dream for these people. -Laura R
ReplyDeleteThis picture has a lot of irony in it. There is a poster that shows a high standared of living as well as what is considered the american dream that supposidly be achieved but in front of the poster there are many people who will probably never see that dream come true for them. I also agree that that is racism shown in the picture as well. The billboard shows a typical white family and how that families american dream came true. Below the billboard are a group of african americans who are waitng in a line. Perhaps they are waiting in line to achieve the american dream that they see on the billboard?
ReplyDeleteoh wow this picture is just overflowing with irony that has been previously stated. The picture was taken in 1937, during the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights movement hadn't gotten its start yet. So it was a tough time at this point in history for African Americas because they were still being treated very unfairly despite winning independence decades before the fact and also because obviously it was tough to get a good job during the Great Depression, but it was even harder for African Americas to get a job during the time, because the few jobs that hired, for the most part hired white people. So I think this picture is showing that. There is also a lot of irony in the fact that the picture is depicting a middle-class white family, when during the Great Depression there was an even bigger gap between classes, and the middle-class was pretty much decimated. There was the very poor, the poor, and the rich stayed rich. And its showing how the "American Way" is to own a car and dog, and have a nicely dressed, well looked upon white middle-class family, which did not exist at the time, and this also goes back to the point earlier about African Americans, that even despite the fact that there was basically no white middle-class families(because even they became homeless for the most part)there was still harshness and racism towards African Americans.
ReplyDeleteThis picture shows the stereotype of the "American Dream" and what is to be desired by coming into the United States. The top half of the photo shows an all white family--mother, father, daughter, son, and dog-- which is considered an All American family. While all of the family all seems happy and care-free, the people in the bottom half of the photo is anything but. All seem to be immigrants, and none appear to look all American. This is ironic because at this time, the United States was becoming increasingly diverse and it was more common to see many different backgrounds. Also unlike the family at the top, the people below look miserable. They're all waiting in line, as if applying for a chance to be part of this sought-after "American Dream." The billboard in the photo reads, "There's no way like the American way," and insinuates that those people are hoping to achieve that, yet the irony of it all makes it seem impossible.
ReplyDelete"There's no way like the American way" and yet what exactly is America advertising here? A dream to live by? Sure, maybe for white-upper class-Americans, but not immigrants, that's for sure! You see, the government wants to advertise to all that we are a warm welcoming country who does not discriminate, which in fact we do. So lying becomes part of the game. Many of these immigrants looked at this advertisement and thought, "Hmm, nice family having a jolly good time on the road and are free to do what they want. Hey, maybe if I move to America it will be the same fore me!" and thus they packed up their lives and boarded a ship to racism, classism, sexism,and so on, unbeknownst to them. We gave them jobs for very low pay, we gave them a place to live, oh but we hope it won't bother you that another family or two is going to be sharing the same space. Life was not what they expected.
ReplyDelete