The Tragedy of Ferguson

RATE THIS EXAMPLE FROM "BENEFICIAL" TO "HARMFUL"

BENEFICIAL HARMFUL

Translate to other languages

The Tragedy of Ferguson

Background Information
This cover of Time Magazine on the Ferguson case is ambiguous: Are the rioters celebrating? Or grieving?
Technique Used
Activate Emotion
This is propaganda because
The ambiguity can be interpreted in many different ways - this is how the Time magazine editors appeal to their diverse audience.

Comments

  1. user-avatar
    David
    Thu, 01/08/2015 - 01:45
    David
    Test message.
  1. user-avatar
    A
    Sat, 04/25/2015 - 04:49
    A
    Its interesting how this image will be viewed differently depending on the person and their beliefs. I think it this image reinforces peoples own beliefs.
  1. user-avatar
    Marlette Torras
    Sun, 04/26/2015 - 13:09
    Marlette Torras
    I think it's kind of shocking that most rated this as somewhat harmful. The tragedy part of the text is not overplayed, as stated here, it is for a broad audience and shows an iconic yet inoffensive image. Since a tragedy is defined in literature as something that could have been prevented, it seems perfectly appropriate to me.
  1. user-avatar
    cna-asu
    Sun, 04/26/2015 - 13:36
    cna-asu
    This piece does a good job at provoking emotions but allowing the audience to have their own opinion.
  1. user-avatar
    Venessa
    Mon, 04/27/2015 - 10:27
    Venessa
    This cover demonstrates human emotions that can only be interpreted by the reader.

    Its portraying fear of the youth, prejudices of society and maintaining the emotion of the event.
  1. user-avatar
    srael
    Sat, 11/21/2015 - 11:44
    srael
    I feel like this was just to incite interest in their magazine by not taking position on either side.
  1. user-avatar
    Jessica
    Sun, 11/22/2015 - 03:41
    Jessica
    I found that my rating of it being beneficial was actually lower then others that have rated this same Time cover. I guess it all depends of how one's views are with the tragedy of Ferguson.
  1. user-avatar
    Kathi
    Sun, 11/22/2015 - 06:13
    Kathi
    I think the media coverage did a lot to incite this incident. I am not saying it didn't happen, but I don't think it would have turned into such an ongoing problem if the media hadn't kept it fresh in people's minds,
  1. user-avatar
    jorgieirby
    Sun, 11/22/2015 - 11:11
    jorgieirby
    I really like this photo as the cover because it tells a lot. Everyone sees things differently and that is why I only rated it as about half beneficial and half harmful because there are people who could see it as both ways.
  1. user-avatar
    Nerissa Edwards
    Mon, 04/18/2016 - 05:45
    Nerissa Edwards
    This is a subject that has a lot of emotion behind it. It reminds me of all of the protesting that went on and how crazy the city was. I had a lot of friends in St. Louis that I checked on throughout the riots. A lot of people found this beneficial but I find it more harmful.
  1. user-avatar
    Erica
    Sun, 04/24/2016 - 09:33
    Erica
    I think this shows emotion tremendously. It is such a simple cover, yet can stem many different feelings. This has been a hot topic for all of America, so it is sure to start conversation.
  1. user-avatar
    Shifty
    Fri, 05/13/2016 - 19:50
    Shifty
    Shows support, so I believe its really beneficial
  1. user-avatar
    Nani
    Wed, 10/12/2016 - 22:06
    Nani
    The image is so powerful, it is hard for me not to feel afraid and nervous. I don't really feel celebration, I feel grief, which makes me empathize with the rioters in their emotional battle for justice.
  1. user-avatar
    Brent Adams
    Sun, 11/13/2016 - 01:45
    Brent Adams
    I was among the 14 percent who believe that this cover was totally harmful to Time's mission of illustrating the impact of the Ferguson riots on social justice. Is this a celebratory shot? Is this a protestor raising his arms at the command of police? The actual scene might have been more dramatic than this photo. There likely were more dramatic scenes from the rioting that could have illustrated the events in Ferguson. To communicate propaganda effectively, there has to be a clear-cut explanation or depiction of the message.

Share Your Ideas

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

Share this content