Jorge Quezada

RWS 1301

1
Visual analysis of immigration views

For this particular analysis there will be two photos used. One picture comes
from an article in Vice news and the other from a different article in Tico Times
news. Both images rhetorical elements of Pathos, Ethos and Logos will be
identified and explained. The intended audience, strategy and message of
photographer, and purpose will be determined also. The use of both of the
images is to show 2 different sides to a complicated issue with no clear
resolution.

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301

2
Message and purpose of images

The message of the protesters pictures is firstly to show what is happening at this
rally against illegal immigration. To show how a certain group of people feels
about a certain issue. Calling it illegal and ironically using the Native Americans
as an example its message it is trying to bring forth is that Mexicans should stay
in their own country and stay out of theirs. For the purpose it used to show how
people feel about immigration, possibly to discourage it as well. It could be to
show the wrongness in a certain opinion.

For the message of the second picture with the boy, is to possibly show that
people want to come to US but are faced with big challenges in doing so. A
possible interpretation could be that not everyone is born with the same
opportunities as you and they want to get them so they come to the US. Another
way to look at it could be to draw attention to the border issues that this country
facing. For the purpose of the photo it could be to show the difference in the two
countries to show the want for immigrants to want to come into the US. So in
triggering this inferred train of thought the photographer is trying to create
sympathy for the immigrant and possibly label the US as that obstacle, wall, or
mountain deterring them from their deserved freedom.

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301

3
Desired audience

For the audience there could be many different type of people that the
photographers are trying to reach with these photos. The first picture is possibly
reaching usually all between the ages of 18 and up. 1.) Anyone with an interest in
immigration issues between Mexicans 2.) Like minded people to the protesters
3.) Mexicans against the opinion of the protesters 4.) Anyone with an interest in
current events. For the second one this one is appealing to a different audience
potentially. 1.) Mexican immigrants looking to come to the US 2.) Current
Mexicans living in America 3.) People with interest in current events 4.) Other
immigrants from other places.

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301

4
Ethos

For the first photo of the protesters at a port of entry into the US, the
photographer is objective simply trying to show an image of what occurred at that
particular event. The credibility shows reasons why it must be valid beginning
with the fact it is on a credible news agency. As well there is no need for any
illegitimacy in this photo because it is the news job to portray the truth. Same
applies to the second photo for the reason that it is a news agency as well. In
order for a news agency to be running and used by people it has to be credible
so having an illegitimate photo on their articles would not be professional, next to
the fact that there is no need to distort or fake a photo.

Pathos

The first photo shows a clear sign saying immigration is illegal. For all Americans
besides Native Americans this is somewhat absurd. Due to the fact that if it was
indeed illegal to immigrate then all of our parents who are not Native American
have committed a crime. These protesters may have different potential effects on
observers of the photo. For example many people may agree that illegal
immigration is wrong and will not want more illegal immigrants coming into the
country for a number of reasons.

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301

On the contrary though people especially Mexicans in general may find it slightly
ironic or flat out wrong. For the second one the effects are different for example
Mexicans or immigrants we may feel for the boy want him to get across or wish
he was on the other side. On cannot be sure but there will be no feelings of
negativity towards this image because it draws on the feelings of people and
depending on their view on immigration they may feel different ways.

Logos

The logic for the first picture is based solely on the opinions of the protesters
involved. The photographer shows that and other posters, which these protesters
are showing and as far as the logic behind the message its trying to bring forth it
is questionable. However it is purely objective to show the opinion of these
particular protesters and possibly deliver a message to the ones accused as well.
For the second picture of the boy it possibly is trying to make us side with
immigrants to show a young child gazing over at the free land or land of
opportunity and meanwhile he is on the other side possibly living in poverty.
Nevertheless this is purely subjective due to the fact that it really gives no
validation as to what is actually happening in that picture. It is possibly just used
to get across certain message to make people feel some sort of way about it.

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301

6
Strategy

These two pictures are ones that are contrasting yet similar simultaneously. The
protesting picture offers the American side of a long debated argument
concerning immigration. The other shows the Mexican side with the use of an
innocent child staring into the grand USA. Each are taken to show a certain side
of a political agenda or to demonstrate and idea or opinion. We see that in clearly
appealing to the concerned American that is against immigration. Which
contrasts the other picture perfectly in showing that people want to come into the
land. In a way they are both illustrating two sides of an argument. However is it
correct to keep people out of a country, which is a weakness of the first picture in
the sense that what they are preaching is ironic and slightly offensive to the
Mexican populous. On the contrary the same thing with the second picture they
are emulating the American border patrol as that big gun standing before you and
the land of opportunity possibly portraying the American government as the big
bad guy when in reality might not be all the way true. Overall they are both
captivating images that really say something about immigration here in US from
Mexico.

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301

7
References

Luxner, L. (2014, July 24). Central American foreign ministers meet in

Washington to lobby Obama on immigration crisis. Retrieved October 1, 2015,
from http://www.ticotimes.net/2014/07/24/central-american-foreign-ministersmeet-in-washington-to-lobby-obama-on-immigration-crisis
Hershaw, E. (2014, September 18). Patriot Group Promises to Shut Down Ports
of Entry Along US-Mexico Border. Retrieved October 1, 2015, from
https://news.vice.com/article/patriot-group-promises-to-shut-down-ports-of-entryalong-us-mexico-border

Jorge Quezada
RWS 1301