Unquestionably, today’s political climate is as hostile as ever. With nationalism back in favor, people from other countries are stereotyped into an unrepresentative light, gaining popular disapproval and losing opportunity in a land where that was once its hallmark. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a more accurate depiction of these people, their children, their land, their kindness, cooperation, and unity?

How refreshing! Pictures like this aim to reframe our perceptions to reduce prejudice, increase altruism, and reinstate a feeling of globalism.

The children in the picture may not be the minority receiving the most press these days, but they are undoubtedly discriminated against in American culture. Most stereotypes surrounding Africans and African Americans related to individuals having reached adulthood. Children have an innate innocence that masks any negative feelings and draws compassion instead of hostility, especially when they smile and act kindly toward one another. A picture like this, with uncertain context, may be the perfect opportunity for sparking minimal dissonance with maximum behavior change on the large scale.

Though the source does not say what exactly the kids are doing in the picture, the picture was found to be associated with a global health aid system. Presumably, they would want to ask for donations to continue doing the good they have been able to do this far. The implication of the picture is that the children are a testimony to the quality of care they received. Since they are all healthy, the organization must be trustworthy and deserving of your funds. People that see this picture, for similar reasons as above, could rest easy knowing they were helping children. Increased self-esteem has been shown to increase altruistic behavior, as people who feel good tend to do good things that perpetuate good feelings.

If not the people in the picture, the next biggest thing that jumps out is the map which depicts the African (notably not American) continent in the center of everything. Since this is an image of the world seldom referenced in American schools for who knows why, any exposure is good exposure. Simply thinking about other countries has shown to positively affect a person’s sense of community. Community involvement is a step towards blurring lines between in- and out-groups, thereby increasing globalism.