Ashley Kritzer
Duane Michals, "The Unfortunate Man"
1976, Gelatin silver print
This Photograph was taken by Duane Michals, in 1976. This picture was captured during a time in which homosexual relations was not accepted. This photo symbolizes the silence that one feels when not accepted by other due to societal norms. The angle in which this photograph is taken can show the inferior perspective of how society looks down on homosexual relationships. In addition the colorless photo is one less element of the picture that are seen by human eyes just as people often times ignore homosexual people. This inspiring image brings me to the year 1880 when the use of sign language was banned from all classrooms while the oral method of teaching out numbered the votes for being the preferred method. The social norms prohibited deaf people from signing thus causing a form of silence over their hands. Duane Michals captures the utterly beautiful piece of art that still hold true for our society. Not everyone in society will accept the concept of humans loving one another regardless of sexual orientation.
