Yes, I’ve mentioned before that I am not a political buff, yet I think everyone knows that Obama’s campaign was one for the books. However, this isn’t about politics or the campaign; rather, it’s about a poster and the man. I think it’s fair to say that everyone, if not most people in America, has seen the iconic red, white, and blue tinged Hope poster with Barack Obama’s face. Not only is it great art, but this poster, in my opinion is one that challenged the status quo and did much more.
It was about time that someone other than a white, 35 year-old, American native was running for president of the United States. However, I do think that the 2008 primary election was a coincidence where the status quo was challenged; there was a black man, a Hispanic, and a woman all running for the same office. But it was Obama who rose above the rest and continued to challenge the status quo.
I believe that the Obama Hope poster represents a great example of the status quo challenge. The artist who created it, Shepard Fairey, probably had a different meaning for the piece of work; however from my standpoint, it goes to show that a black man can run for president. A black man can be patriotic. A black man can lead a nation. A black man can succeed. A black man can. It’s as simple as that. I think the poster shows that although Obama was a minority he can just be seen as a man. The colors of the poster don’t show a white man or a black man, but a man willing to lead a nation as president.
I remember when the 2008 election came rolling around and everyone had mixed feelings about Barack Obama running for such an esteemed position. I for one supported him because it was not the same type of person running for the position, but someone who was a minority. I believe that the Hope poster can compare to the selected readings in the textbook because many are about, I guess you can say “sticking it to the man” in a respectful manner. Also, with the speeches included from the text, I would say that the speech givers are asking the next generation for help to make the world a better place and I think that the Hope poster does that too. I mean what better word than “hope” for a slogan to encourage people. The fact that Obama had the courage to break the norm and run for president goes to show that anyone can be capable of doing anything.
Although the campaign is over, I still see many with the poster on their cars, shirts, windows, and binders. I don’t think it’s just about Obama anymore, but the fact that a black man gave a nation hope in a time of crises. The Hope poster even hangs by my desk to be honest. I don’t put it up to look up to a politician but I look up to the man in the poster because that man overcame the obstacles, he silenced the haters, encourages the younger generations and challenged the status quo, all through the power of a picture.
***Photo provided by http://www.obeygiant.com/***
What's up! The Obama poster is iconic and will probably go down in history as one of the most well run political campaign in history; for goodness sake, Oprah funded his political advertisements at one point! I like the points you brought up about the poster showing that a minority could become president. What the poster meant to me at the time was that maybe the United States was entering a new era of equality. That maybe, racism was coming to an end. Of course I am wrong though. The United States still has a lot of racism that I don't understand. But compared to other countries this place is heaven. Except if you are a minority living in the Bible Belt areas, then you are screwed. I know I am getting a little off topic but I just have to say it. I can't believe there are still so many racist people out there. i have met people that call black people niggars and other stupid crap and I don't understand. As if the color of our skin defines us completely. While being part of certain ethnicity is part of who you are it is not ALL you are. I wish people understood that. That's what the poster represents for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Obama poster was a symbol for hope and unity for everyone in the United States. The poster shows his skin as red, white, and blue. That is an underlined message to not judge him for his ethnicity, but for what he represents, The United States of America. The historical value of having the first black president and the originality of the poster blend perfectly. Obama's entire campaign was geared towards young people, so the hiring of Shepard Fairey to do the poster was genius. It is hard to believe that the person that is responsible for the Andre the Giant sticker all over Los Angeles, had something to do with a president being elected. Obama brought in new ways to get votes. He knew that most of the people that were thinking about voting for him were not sitting in front of a TV, watching CNN. Obama opted to bring voters to the polls that usually did not vote. His unorthodox campaign brought a higher voting turn out than any election in the last 40 years. The addition of so many people that are new to the politic process left many people expecting immediate change. The balance of the power in government does not allow a president to come into office and create an instant change. In addition, we are recovering from a major recession; it is going to take longer than Obama's duration as president, maybe even with a second term, to get back to where we were as a country.
ReplyDeleteHi Cyn!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment, I’m happy to see some people still do appreciate this beautiful planet we live on. At the end of the day the small steps make a big difference. As for your blog, I quite enjoyed reading it. I loved the image you chose to analyze because as you said it means much more than what you’d see at first. I think this picture will be iconic for quite some time. It will accompany campaign information in history books one day. It definitely changed the status quo, not only in the political realm but also with minorities everywhere. Just the fact that he was able to be elected made many people feel as if perhaps their vote truly did count. And also the idea of if he can do it than I can too. He is not only our president but I think he has led the way for further acceptance between people of different race, religion, etcetera. A sort of human rights activist. Back to the actual image though, its an inspiration. A back man cascaded in red, white and blue with the hope posted boldly shows a status quo crumbling. it’s a great thing to further the acceptance of our nation towards others. Anyway props! I loved your blog
Vanessa