11 thoughts on “Great Migration Image”

1. The first thing that I see is the South to North relationship. It is a symbol of the path taken. I can also see a sense of the North being viewed as the promised land. From the distance the North seems to standout as glorious place in which African Americans are striving to reach. The young man in the center seems to be symbolic of growing political and social leaders that were prevalent during this time period in the North, speaking about justices that would would or should be available in the North. It was a time where blacks felt much safer to speak their minds then they would have in the South.The photo also seems to be an affirmation of the tough choice many made to make this journey.

2. To me this picture symbolizes the ambition of southern black immigrants that went north. The man in the middle is meant to signify the strength of the black community by his powerful build. He seems to be rallying his fellows to go north. In my opinion this is a very relevant picture to the Great Migration because it did result in the gradual strengthening of the black community in the north up to this day.

3. The man in the foreground is pointing the way North to the blacks on the left. The left side of the picture looks rural. In contrast, the bridge and skyline on the right represent the city. One lady on the left appears to be wearing a hotel or domestic service uniform; it is as if it is being implied that, yeah, women can go North, but with an emphasis on domestic service. The man pointing the way is shirtless, maybe to represent the agricultural laborers of the South, but his shoes represent the man who works in Northern factories. The two black men in the lower left are gazing at the city but appear to be motionless, like they’re unsure or unable to go. It’s interesting that the one man is wearing a tie…Maybe he was a recruiter, but I don’t know if recruiters were only white. And although the pillar the man stands on has “Equal Economic Opportunity” etched into it, the three working men are all black…no whtie men. This could have been to foster black solidarity, as if to say ‘we’re equal but still separate from whites’, like they were able to work hard without needing to be influenced by or work with whites. I notice there are no women next to the three shirtless men; maybe because it was easier for black men to go North, or that black men benefited more than women in the move north (since men usually did not worry as much about children and they were more able to secure better factory jobs versus women as teachers, maids, etc). Also, there is no clear road to the city, but a twisting canyon or something…Even though the man is pointing to opportunity in the city, it will be a hard road there.

4. This picture represents the Great Migration in numerous ways. Starting with the man as the center focus, he is a strong black man guiding a group of blacks from the south the promises of the cities in the northern cities. The box reads “militancy, courage and equal economic opportunity.” The word militancy describes the way the south was politically ran, and courage is what they needed to make the trip to the north where they would hopefully find their equal economic opportunity. The leader of the group is trying to motivate the group to take part in the migration. The path to the north from the left is full of grass, representing the rural areas of the south and through a series of curves leads to the north. This is to represent the rough journey from the south to the north. Also, looking at the center man’s dress, as well as the two black men to the right, are dressed in work boots, jeans and gloves. From the muscular build of the guys, it looks like they were once agricultural workers in the south and moved to the north, and now are leading the way for others to follow. There are a few women in the picture dressed in domestic housekeeping attire, representing their jobs. There are onlookers in the bottom left corner, and they look like they are trying to make the decision to go or not. In the background, there is another group of people making the journey from the south to the north, representing the continuous flow of migration during the late 1910’s and early 1920’s. During this time also many blacks were forming migration plan leagues under a different organization names, which could be the reason for the banner stating “The Future Outlook League.” The title also reflects the hopes and dreams of the migrants; they are looking toward the future for better lives in the north. This picture represents the hard journey from the south to the north, the types of people who where making the migration, the leadership, and the push and pull factors of both the south and the north.

5. This painting is a depiction of the Great Migration to the North by African Americans. It is packed with symbolism depicting a new beginning free from the violence & oppression that was endured down South. The future over the mountains & through the hills is one of peace & prosperity. The strong African American standing upon the carved stone pedestal is urging the migrants onward, many of whom look drawn & weary. He is pointing to the “promised land” that is full of opportunity & an all out better life. The predestal that he is standing on has the inscription “Militancy, courage, & equal economic opportunity”. This is the basis and motto of the Great Migration. Militancy is necessary so as not to endure the oppression & abuses that occurred in the South. Courage is necessary to forge a new life in a distant land among new & different white faces that still showcase prejudice. Equal economic opportunity signifies exactly what is said & what was promised to African American migrants. The two African American men on the side of the pedestal represent what can be achieved through Militancy, Courage, and equal economic opportunity. The city in the background represents the North and the industry of it, it is the better life that so many Southern African Americans yearned for in the South. By staying together & building communities around a common cornerstone African Americans can create a better life for each other together.

6. This picture represents the Great Migration in many ways. First of all and easiest to see, is that the man is pointing North. The land in the north shows nicer buildings and points to industrialization. Also, the Great Migration was spurred on by some individuals who were courageous and went out on a limb and took a risk. The man pointing to the North, with his large muscles, almost seems to signify a courageous individual. The people he is pointing to seem to be weak and weary, which symbolize many of the blacks during this time period. Even though they heard the North would be better for them, many people still feared getting up and moving. Last, but not least, the saying on the carved out pedestal that the man is standing on explains what the blacks were looking for in this time period. They hoped by going North they would gain more equal rights and opportunity. Also, the Great Migration had a type of militant attitude towards it.

7. The image depicts the “Great Migration” to the north. The man standing on the block is pointing towards the future and the opportunities that await the southerners migrating north. The man standing on the block and the other men engraving the stone appear to be strong and powerful. The men are engraving the words themselves, showing that they are building their own future and that up north they have control of their lives, unlike the south.

8. This is a picture which attempts to encompass in a single image the important characteristics of the great migration. The future outlook league is playing on the notion that you can have a different future as long as you relocate and assimilate. The outlook league I feel is supposed to portray what the urban leagues would have attempted to do for and to those migrating. The man on the pedestal is pointing to the great north, the land of the free and the place where everyone is supposedly “equal”. He is muscular and wearing no shirt which depicts what heavy laborers on the plantations probably would have looked like. The men carving on the stone symbolizes the carving of a new future and the words they are carving states what it will take to succeed and what they will achieve in the north. The man in the suit may be a person who has gained some prosperity in the north and then returned to the south to show his worth and perhaps urge others to travel north also. The woman in the service industry uniform depicts the roles that the women in particular will have in the north. The group in the back is still a long ways off but has hopes and aspirations of someday making it to the north. They could be the group of short timers that moved from the rural areas of the south to the southern larger cities for only a short period before continuing their journey north.

9. This image clearly states 2 things to me and has an aspect that caught my attention.

   First the Image of several strong black men writing in stone, and showing others the way. The man pointing is literally standing on a platform of equal economic opportunity and Militancy. I feel this speaks to the opportunities and dedication necessary to obtain such opportunities. The strength of the leaders in not just physical these leaders have to be extraordinarily dedicated individuals as well.

   Second the image shows small clusters of people coming out of the rural setting towards the platform and the man who is showing them the way. This is more of a trickle that any kind of great stream or flood of people. The people who are coming do not have a look of confidence. Determination, but not confidence shows on many of the peoples faces. While several among them look haggard and tired as if the trip has been hard enough.

   What really caught my attention, I do not believe was intended. The bridge to the city that the man is pointing appears to come out onto the rural road that the migrants are traveling. Either this is representing a cyclical nature to the migration or this city is not the goal but where the people are fleeing. I’m not sure either option is correct. However as I look at this image I can not move past these representations.

10. I see the photo as being a symbol of the hope that followed the great migration. The African American Community believed the future lied to the north. I believe the bridge represents the path to the north. I think the building of the foundation represents the foundation they had built in the south. It also represents what they feel they might achieve in the north. They seek equal economic opportunity in the north. They believe that the key to their success lies in the fairness they believe they will be treated with in the north. The title pretty much sums up the picture I believe, “The Future Outlook League”,it tells us they are looking to a brighter future up north

11. The thing that I first noticed about this was the sense of scale. The man standing on the carved stone block can see a long way both physically and metaphorically. To his left, he is encouraging blacks to come down the road of the south to the north. Acting as a gatekeeper, he provides the migrants a direction to seek for a better life. One must also notice that you must “pass through” militancy and courage to get to the promised land.
    The sight of the shirtless African-american man in jeans also speaks to the idea that he is still identifying with his southern agricultural roots while being a guidepost to the north.
    The idea of going “down through the valley” comes up in the image this harkens to the bible, when that symbolism was used to represent suffering or struggle

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