James Porcell
Robert Frank, "Charleston, South Carolina"
1955
This photograph, by Robert Frank is powerful yet hopeful. It is a photograph symbolizing the segregation and racism that once took over our country. It is a disturbing reflection of what our country's racial and gender roles used to be. Frank's photograph shows us the position that African-American women held in America as nannies. However, I believe that this photograph has an underlying meaning as well. Although the black woman's job is to take care of the white baby, she is holding the baby with such protection and love, as observed by the physical closeness. Even though it is very disheartening to see what the roles in society used to be based on the color of one's skin, I see this photograph as a sign in history that foreshadowed the hope for the end of segregation in our country. Just as the baby and the woman are so closely interacting, we now today interact the same way with others without feelings of hatred and segregation.
