We're discussing pain, what it means to photograph pain, and what seeing others in pain can accomplish. The Occupy protests are the embodiment of all of these ideas. The protests are pain. They are the manifestation of the pain felt by many from an unjust system. There is a sense of sadness and loss created by the knowledge that such potential will be wasted to muddled goals and overwhelming capitalist dominance. With new technology, we see more photographs of people in pain than we would have in the past. "In an era of information overload, the photograph provides a quick way of apprehending" complicated situations like the Occupy protests (Sontag 22). In Oakland, this is more evident than anywhere else as police crack down. What can these images accomplish?
Consider this image, with the caption 'Police arrest protesters who refused to disperse near City Hall in Oakland, California early November 3, 2011. A general strike called by Occupy Oakland shut down the port'.
That is exactly what we see: police in riot gear arresting a man, his mouth bloody from some unknown action. His mouth is open, looking as if he is calling out to anyone nearby, perhaps someone out of frame. Yet, it is hard not to imagine he is calling out to the viewer at home. The photo comes to us from the United Press International website. In the past, UPI was a large player in the news game with trusted names like Helen Thomas in their ranks. Today, UPI has fallen on hard times and is now owned by News World Communications. In ways, this is similar to our once great nation, reduced to a shell of its former self. Still, there may be hope yet for both United Press International and the United States of America. UPI has found a niche market and somewhat distinct flavor, influenced by ownership interests outside of the United States. America, on the other hand, has the Occupy protests.
To a supporter of the Occupy protests, photographs such as this one tell the whole story. The eye is drawn to the men and women of law enforcement, a part of the 99%. Instead of joining the movement, they are deployed in their riot gear, looking more like something out of a third world conflict than peace keepers in an American city. They stand all powerful over the protester, as the interests they serve stand all powerful over the American public. To a supporter, the overwhelming use of force shown in this photo and on occasional news stories is a sign that their cause is just. All of this and no one has even mentioned the pictures of Scott Olsen, which tell the same tale in more graphic and vivid detail.
To those opposed to the Occupy demonstrations, photographs such as this one tell the whole story. If the photo could inspire some to feel compassion, "surely they would also foster greater militancy on behalf of" those who are content with the status quo (Sontag 18). These are troublemakers, working hard to bring down everything we hold dear. They are lazy beatniks, having nothing better to do than incite violence. We see young people and minorities, people who usually sit on the sidelines and the people who are marginalized by the mass media. The opposition never sees images of these groups and when they finally do, it is in a negative light. They are being arrested or breaking shop windows. To the anti-Occupy forces, this is a dangerous man being arrested and put where he belongs.
On photo, two interpretations. Still images have the power to hold so many meanings at once. They have the amazing ability to persist. The only question is which view will stand the test of time and make it to the history books.
Works Cited
Sontag, Susan.
Regarding the Pain of Others. Picador USA, 2005. Print.
