background images
the poignant story of Amadou Diallo is one that has been seen countless times in american society; an unjust loss of life within the black community. in order to emphasize this tragedy, the background images of the storyline are extremely important.
the stark contrast between the subtle hints about Amadou Diallo's story and the obvious pointing toward the object that caused his downfall create a very clear picture of the purpose of the story. by creating a picturesque storyline about how the world should be, then flashing the images of a defenseless extended hand, the reader is constantly reminded of the differences between the ideal and the actual situation.
the beauty of the background, much like the interactivity, lies within its simplicity. the central image flashes periodically, changing from one image to the next, and the background images stay stationary, alternating between the two images of the hand. one image is of a hand illuminated by an unseen light in a dark night-like setting, one with black skin, a watch, and a ring on the ring finger. these traits give the hand personality; this person is married, maybe with a family. the watch signifies the need to know the time; maybe this person has a job with strict deadlines. then, the image changes to the same hand holding a simple black wallet, just like Diallo was when he was shot.
while it may be assumed that these pieces of information shown in the images of "my hands/wishful thinking" are important because they were some of Diallo's final moments, it can also be said that they showcase the only pieces of information that were relevant in the shooting of an innocent man. his skin was dark, his hands were full, and the police officers that shot him assumed that these were the only things that they needed to see before they acted. however, they did not notice or care about the small details when they chose to shoot instead of approach. they did not see the wedding ring or the watch, but only a threat.
next page: why all lowercase?
by: maddie tobias