Anthony Karen Discussion- Sam and Shari

Alot of the KKK images were taken in the deep south, Alabama Georgia Arkansas Kentucky and etc, right in the occupants back yard. The people in the photo are all members of the KKK and are in attendance of some ritual, most likely the burning of a cross. They are imitating the burning cross and are photographed in a field of view were the main guy (possibly a high rank member) is in focus while the rest of the congregation is blurred. The photo is in someones backyard because you can see the house and car-port in the background and is taken in a landscape style, probably out in the country. Its in black and white which add dramatic-ism to the whole event and you can see what is happening without actually needing to see what has everyone's attention. they way the light is shadowing the picture also portrays what is occurring. In black and white you can tell how silky his outfit must be because of the shine and stitching, as well as he is the focus.

His face is what draws my focus first because he his very focused on what is happening off camera. Its almost an expression of awe or severe devotion and each person looks fearless. Their uniforms are different defining the status of the main subject from they rest of the people in the picture. His clothes are either purple, black, or red while everyone else has white and made from a heavier material. Also the other members outfit are different from the next, one has more strips at the bottom of his roles and wears as sash while the other two does not. They just have a tie around their waist. Their hats are also different, the 3 men have hats made of fabric while the girl(?) has a hard hat. The age difference between the members makes me feel as if they are a family in communal worship and the main focus is the oldest of the four figures while the is right seems to be the youngest member. he's almost setting the example and is the head of the house. It's night time by the street lamp and the feeling is that they are very focused on what they are doing.

From what we can see it is obvious that the members are participating in an event, possibly burning a cross. The intent of the photo was to show the perspective of worship in the Klan and how each person in broken down by rank by their clothing. Visible status. The picture was taken at this angle because it shows that the main focus is of higher rank then the rest and that is authority is more powerful. He probably left out the event their witnessing because he wants us to focus on the people not what they are doing. The members become the focus as individuals rather then what they as a Klan does as a whole.

Its a powerful picture because it reveals that what most people believed disappeared after the civil rights movement is still happening. The picture shows that while we all have our differences there is still some that are so close minding in their views of what society should be and whom it should be made up of. We believe that its a very significant photo story because it brings to light what a lot of people would rather ignore. It did add to some of our knowledge because we didn't realize that the Klan was basically a church and they where just worshiping under certain values. We might not agree with those values (any of them!!!) but it still has to be seen and someone had to do it. Just glad it wasn't us....