We all know the infamous protestors that show no limits when it comes to what they say and where they say it, and the above picture depicts a group of these protestors. However, this is not the first thing the eye is drawn to.
You likely first noticed the figures draped in white cloth, you might even say they look like “angels,” and the “wings” block the viewer from noticing the protestors first.
Not only does the framing of the photo promote this focus on the angels, but such was the point of this initiative led by a volunteer group called “Angel Action.”
The context of this photo holds a lot of weight, and it amplifies the already powerful message of the photo tenfold. I came across this photo and its context in my research for my speech/essay, and thought it was too powerful to ignore.
This picture was taken at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a gay student who was killed in a hate crime. Many came to honor his death, but because he was an openly gay man, there were groups that protested at his funeral, including members of the Westboro Baptist Church.
Although there were these people in opposition of commemorating Matthew’s life, what was more powerful was the sheer amount of support that overwhelmed the evil, including this group of volunteers who constructed large “wings” and stood in front of the protestors to block them from the audience’s view.
One striking detail of this image and the context surrounding it is the use of biblical symbolism to counter the protests of the Westboro Baptist Church. By dressing as prominent figures in the Bible(angels), Angel Activism uses the protestors own rhetoric against them. The blockers did not have to be “angels,” but the fact that they were demonstrates how they reclaimed the symbol for a better purpose.
Angels also symbolize peace, protection, and love, and this is reciprocated through the characteristics of Angel Action seen in the picture. While the protestors are shouting and using blaring signs, the angels remain still and silent, forwarding the message that love overcomes hate, peace overcomes chaos.
The overall argument of the image is that the best way to counter hate is with love, and this message prevails today. For example, not too long ago, Milo, a speaker reciprocating many of the arguments of the protestors in the image, was invited to speak at Penn State by a student organization. To counter his event, student organizations across campus banded together to host a counter-event titled “Love is Louder,” continuing the mission of Angel Action and pursuing love over hate. “Love is Louder” was an absolute success, showing that throughout the test of time, Love Wins.
This is such a cool and interesting image! I love how you pointed out the use of biblical symbolism to counteract the protests from members of a church. I too think this a really powerful way of blocking out hatred and supporting love.
Nice choice of a picture, I for sure haven’t seen anything like it before. Your analogy, like always, was very well written and I also found this particular photo very impactful. Sad to your blog posts stop!