Mesha Hunt

Mesha Hunt

09/27/2011 pd.5

The photograph in which I selected initially illustrated in my mind the culture of African Americans in the mid 1960's. I considered possible explanations for the significance of the picture and first hypothesized that the people displayed were having some sort of celebration and were depicting usual one aspect African American society. I noticed that the attire of the individuals in the photograph was similar in color pattern and style. I also noted the two paintings hanging on the wall and theorized that the paintings may have had some form of symbolism to the meaning of the picture. Why were the paintings included in the setting? Black and white photographs usually evoke an emotional connotation, and tend to play on the audience's pathos. In consideration to this generalization, I concluded that this photograph was possibly published to connect personally to an implied audience. In an effort to learn more about the photograph, I conducted some research to note some background information about it. Some sources, such as Britannica, offered facts about the style of dance taking place in the photograph. The style, known as the jitterbug, was developed early into the WWI era, and resembled upbeat, swing dancing like motions and steps. Some similar events I connected this piece to were the flappers in the 30's. The promiscuity and dance style of those women matched the upbeat rhythmic style of the jitterbug.

Works Cited

"Jitterbug." 2011. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Web. 23 Sept. 2011.

"'Jitterbugging in Negro Juke Joint', 1939 - FUSE - Department of Education and Early Childhood Development." Teacher Home Page - FUSE - Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. State of Victoria (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development). Web. 23 Sept. 2011.