Capitol Riot: The Darkest Day Of The U.S Democracy Through A Photo

Today, I went through my Google drive to look for a file from the last semester. Then, I found out this document which for a long time, I haven't touched it since I submitted it for a class. Now, for the first time ever, I shared with you what I wrote. That was a class about photojournalism. We learned about famous photos taken by journalists in the history and figured out what meant behind each of them. Also, we learned about how take a perfect shot. The following post is my final essay in that class, which I had to choose a photo to analyze. And the following photo was what I chose to write about. I got 93/100 for the final essay and an A in that class. I want to share this essay to you because this photo had been inside my mind since the first day I saw it on a newspaper. It is a sign of a broken Democracy in America. Until now, the chance for a riot like January 6th can still happen. Especially if Trump is indicted.

So, here is my essay.

Source: Julio Cortez/AP

What happened on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 will be recorded in history as the day the Democracy of the United States of America was damaged and purged badly. The Democrats were happy that morning because they just won two seats in the U.S Senate in Georgia, and it appeared like they would reclaim power (Schmich, 2021). And it was the day that the joint session of Congress being together to count electoral votes, which admitted President-elect Joe Biden's victory. But things had not been good at all where Trump’s supporters stormed into Capitol Hill to overturn the result of the 2020 election which they considered as being stolen, and would not let Congress do their jobs. The scenes of thousands of people getting into Capitol Hill destroyed everything that belonged to a historic symbol of this country where the founding fathers wrote the Constitution to the day they makes laws to maintain the order in this nation. It was taken by Julio Cortez from Associated Press and thanks to him, everyone can see a dark side of the U.S.

Personal perspective

This image has taken my attention the most. A group of Trump supporters tried to against the deputy to tear down the fences. It reminds me of the Berlin wall but contrary with tearing down the Berlin wall to get freedom for everyone, tearing down the fences against democracy, against what is right for this nation. The image reflected a dark side of Trump supporters, who were holding MAGA (Make America Great Again) flags, MAGA hats, no mask, went against the police force who were doing their job to protect everyone around and every lawmaker inside the Capitol Hills.

The U.S has the First Amendment, which protects the freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly. But looking at this image and telling this is an assembly or telling that they are practicing their rights, is more like destroying the whole democracy. They acted blindly without minding the consequences after that. They were trying to push down the fence and ready to go inside the building to stop the approval of President-elect Joe Biden. They did everything because their leader, Donald Trump, told them to do and he did not even join them marching down to Capitol Hill. Instead, he watched it. Betcha, he would not believe that his supporters could do such a thing like that. It is malicious and there must be probable punishment upon them.

The police side, in which they were doing their job, had shown their courage, their duty that they must fulfill. They were fully equipped and ready to protect all the Republican and the Democrats senators and all the staff and employees inside the building who were all frightening of what might happen to them. They resisted pushing back those protesters because I believe they know what is right and wrong. They had shown zero tolerance for the protesters and I praised them for the action of the police force.

In the end, Trump supporters have to pay an expensive price that their President Donald Trump can save them. It is iconic and historic because it has captured the reality of those people who called themselves patriots who acted nothing other than a group of terrorists, murderers, maniacs, and fools.

Historical perspective

Photographer Julio Cortez from Associated Press had captured the moment of madness in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Cortez’s reputation stretched through many important events that he had taken from World Cups to the Sandy Hook mass shooting, from every sporting event to the inauguration. But this photo at Capitol Hill is a new triumph for Cortez because it is just perfect and yet horrible. Cortez has documented the history that people will remember forever and captured photos that would go inside the history book by his camera (Flores, 2021).

The Trump administration had stomped on the legal, ethical, and procedural norms that govern the Capitol's functioning without thinking and considering (Boyle and Grossman, 2021). In those dreadful hours of bloodshed on Capitol Hill, though, there was something new, which nobody would have expected. It was such a disgrace and a slap into the face of the United States of America. From the very first day where the founding fathers came to this land on the Mayflower, they had put the first brick to build a big strong nation with their minds to establish the laws and orders, their bravery in front of enemies, their will to write the Constitution. Nobody from that time could probably believe their legacies left for the posterior would be destroyed by a group of people called themselves patriots who stood up for President Trump and prevented the approval of 46th President Joe Biden.

Technical Perspective

This photo displays many different elements that can go in history as the most memorable photo of all time because Cortez had captured it perfectly in a z-axis composition, the memory theory, and symbolic signs. This photo has the memory theory that makes people have to remember for the rest of their lives because of its horror and its vicissitudes throughout the Z-Axis composition. The foreground is where the Trump supporters are fighting against the police forces. The middle ground is the Capitol Hill building in Washington D.C. And the background is the sky. As if there was a placement before this all happened, the scene is so captive, so moving, and so powerful. It places a great shot where the audience can see is that two sides are fighting really intensely under the witness of Capitol Hill where the law and order are made; and of course, under the witness of everyone who is watching. Each will have different feelings, different points of view on this event. Another setup is the gloomy sky, which can be considered that the darkest day in American history is happening right now.

It would be a big loss if there is no mention of a symbolic sign in this photo. On the left side of the photo is a group of Trump supporters and they are holding MAGA (Make America Great Again) flag. When Trump announced his running for president, Make America Great Again had been his slogan for the campaign and soon, it turns to be a symbol of hate and divide in America when Trump was in office. The MAGA flag at Capitol Hill’s insurrection on January 6th had created a symbol of rebellion, and grievance with no limit (Leppert, 2021).

Ethical Perspective

Of the six philosophies, the one that this image represents is the Veil of Ignorance, which is the philosophy is developed by John Rawl. It can be understood that all people are the same as if each member wears a veil such as age, gender, ethnicity, could not be seen and determined (Lester, 146). With Trump supporters, they have been wearing a blindfold on their eyes since Trump became their president. Throughout his administration, Trump had spread many things that were untrue, was non evidently but they believed in what he said. Extremist groups like Proud Boy or Qanon appeared and spread the conspiracies that scared people. Trump supporters represent the disgrace and corruption of people who disobeyed the law and wanted to break it for their leader. It sounds like a stupid action for nothing. Then, they have to get the consequences that they deserve for destroying the American legacy. Their ignorance has shown through their actions without thinking.

Looking at the photo is shot by Cortez, the audience can see that the whole picture is what they are doing on that day. Their leader told his supporters to march down to Capitol Hill, stop the approval of the election which before he claimed his vote had been stolen and the rest is history. This image shows one small part of a big picture of what the Trump supporters are like. Blindfolded with a black veil without minding what might happen next to them. It is ironic though because Trump cannot get their backs either. What he has to face after that is an impeachment trial and his supporters are being investigated by the federal.

Cultural Perspective

This photo by Cortez has a cultural perspective that analyzes the image then relates to cultural symbols and from that, the viewer can understand how this image is reflecting today’s culture. The viewers will have a better understanding of the message is the photographer trying to say with the photo. In this photo, it has two sides. The rioters and the police forces. It is clear that the police force is trying to protect everyone from in and out of Capitol Hill as well as maintain peace among everyone. It has been their duty for a long time. In this photo by itself, the police force is not a lot and they must fight to prevent the rioters from tearing down the fence. It is like a metaphor for the good side against the bad side. No matter whose side the police forces stand on, what belief they support, they have to protect the people and the property and serve justice. They are a force of integrity in everyone’s mind and also, the police are carrying out their duties and responsibilities equitably and bravely.

On the other side, the Trump supporters are raising the MAGA flags with pride and things they called patriotism but the truth is that they are acting violently to prevent something that is constitutional. A shameful insurrection. It is not until January 6th, Trump supporters had those actions like a group of terrorists. After the tragedy of 9/11, the hate toward Muslims, Arabs, and South Asian communities had raised up more in America, where they have been facing harassment and other unconstitutional violations of civil rights pursuant to the war on terror (Setty, 2021). And even worse, the “Go back to your country” phrase is even more “popular” when Trump imposed on the immigrants even though many of them were born and raised in America. Terrorism nowadays can be seen through gun violence and caused by white people. This photo is not an exception for those extremely and malicious actions.

Critical Perspective

From a critical perspective, I can stand firm on what this photo makes me feel. I cannot get the feeling of fury out of my head after what happened on January 6 in Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill riot by Cortez is absolutely breathtaking, powerful and its story is explicit. It has also shown the real horror of that fateful day. It is not only about insurrection but it is also about “winning the country back” in the view of Trump supporters and conservative media.

Now, I am not really interested in politics nor either a supporter of Trump. Democrats and the left wings criticized Trump for inspiring the whole riot. The ignorance of his supporters is unacceptable and blindly. Their actions have damaged the legacy and the legal system of this country. A disgrace they may call. With the conservatives or the Republicans, they seem to consider what happened on that day as patriot day. It is weird because against the police forces and doing extreme action like that can never be considered patriotism. It is a big crime. My views on this image will never change, because I will always appreciate what the image truly stands for, and that is what it means of insurrection.

Conclusion

Julio Cortez from AP had done a terrific job when he captured the moment of vanity, vileness, and vicissitudes. After analyzing the Capitol Riot image carefully, using six different perspectives, I have learned so many things about that day and I have found out what made this so special, to begin with. All six perspectives combined have created a historic moment that everyone will remember what January 6, 2021, is all about. It also shows how a dark side of America which some groups of people because of what they believe in, are ready to make a riot and willingly to destroy every legacy of the founding fathers.

Reference

Boyle, K., & Grossman, J. (n.d.). A Starting Point: Teaching the January 6 insurrection. Home. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.historians.org/publications-and-directories/perspectives-on-history/january-2021/a-starting-point-teaching-the-january-6-insurrection.

Flores, J. (2021, February 12). Julio Cortez captures history with Latino flair. Our Esquina. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://ouresquina.com/2021/ap-photographer-julio-cortez-captures-the-world/.

Leppert, M. (2021, October 1). Commentary: Maga flags and hats are now symbols of insurrection. The Statehouse File. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.thestatehousefile.com/commentary/commentary-maga-flags-and-hats-are-now-symbols-of-insurrection/article_45f4cf2c-6431-5ae2-92e6-19b831d99d43.html.

Lester, P. M. (2018). Visual communication: Images with messages. WritingForTextbooks.

Schmich, M. (2021, Jan 07). Column: The lessons of insurrection day 2021. TCA Regional News Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/abicomplete/docview/2475949887/455801C721E4497FPQ/2

Setty, S. (2020). THE JANUARY 6, 2021 CAPITOL RIOTS: RESISTING CALLS FOR MORE TERRORISM LAWS. Journal of National Security Law & Policy, 11, 1-3. Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/january-6-2021-capitol-riots-resisting-calls-more/docview/2529339947/se-2?accountid=9840