Iconic images

Tags: History
Email this Topic • Print this Page

Read Discussion
Reply to All

Today my newspaper ran the 1957 photo of Elizabeth Eckford attempting simply to go to school in Little Rock, Arkansas:

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/img/archive/18_03/1803_53.gif

I looked at the photo for a long time, soaking up the details, wondering especially about the expressions of the two women on the right - fear? curiosity? suspicion? anger?

And Elizabeth Eckford herself - she looks equally vunerable and courageous. What must she have been thinking during that walk.

Do you think she knew that 50 years later she would be an icon of American history? Do you think that she feels like she is one?

Do you think she is one?

I think this image offers up a very good summary of a specific era - not an event - because the photo is really about so much more than a girl walking to school.

Can you think of other images that so encapsulate an era?

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link/Embed

Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 718 • Replies: 24

boomer, I missed the shuttle launch last evening, but I think this defines an era for the cape:

http://mishuna.image.pbase.com/u17/qleap/large/5492930.GPN2000001422.jpg

0 Replies

Is that the Challenger, Letty?

I remember that day like it was yesterday.

Strange that you posted that. I was just looking for images of the moon landing. There is one in particular that always struck me as somehow so optimistic. I haven't found it yet.

But there is always "Earthrise"

http://www.education.umn.edu/History/Timeline/images/1960sEarthrise.jpg

0 Replies

That's the Challenger, boomer. Things have been strange all over, gal. It's going to be one of those coincidental days. (I prefer synchronicity)

Ah, yes. I remember that planet picture from the astronauts. How very tiny it makes me feel. Fabulous, honey.

0 Replies