This image particularly stuck out to me because of the shock value it induced at first and the noticeable and lasting effect it had on me. While the image does not necessarily require it, I was able to find the background of its capture which entails a British missionary trip in 1980 to Uganda where this photograph of a starving boy’s outstretched hand inside a missionary’s was taken. 

Overall, the power of this image originates from the juxtaposition between the appearances of the hands. The nearly skeletal-like structure of the malnourished boy’s compared to the healthy and large hand of the missionary forces the viewer to recognize the plight of so many people around the world, people starving, people without access to clean water, and people without even a fraction of the opportunities we have today. Thus, while the intention may not have been to argue, I believe this image argues for the viewer to be more appreciative of what they have by comparing themselves to people such as this little boy, who unfortunately have so little.

In addition, another aspect of this image that aids in its resonance is the idea of uniting together. The simple color difference of the two hands does not stop them from holding each other and I believe this represents a secondary argument of the image. It advocates for looking past superficial differences such as race, and instead embrace one another as fellow human beings like the two figures in the image are doing.

Ultimately, this image made me more appreciative of what I have while at the same time reminding me of the millions of people around the world who are living in poor conditions. And I noticed a possibly unintended consequence of this image is that it also makes the viewer more willing and eager to help others, as the missionary is doing in the image.