Reading Response 5: The Spectacle of the Other / Stuart Hall

This reading focuses on the 'other' and stereotypes surrounding minority groups, whether this be based on race, sexuality, gender, disability or class.

In the media today many images that are used in headlines have racial undertones and stereotypes. Below is a headline from the olympic games.

The article inside reads about the 'the chemical olympics', how many or all of these runners were said to be under the influence of performative medication when running in the games. However, when first reading the headline, it can be easy to tie the title 'Heroes and Villains' to a mannor of elements of the image. It is well-known that 'other' races, are viewed negatively or not at all by a huge amount of national newspapers. The fact that they have put this image, including five black men with this title, could make the reader think that all black people, even these olympians are villains, even if they are sometimes viewed as heroes in the public eye. There is an undercurrent of a racist viewpoint which comes along with this headline. "The story suggests that all athletes... are potentially heroes or villains" The image is a "picture of disgrace, triumph or both".

This reading was very informative and opened my eyes to the intertextualities of photographs. Meanings, denotations and connotations make an image what it is. It could be said that if people can't discuss and discover meanings within the images that we take, that they weren't worth taking in the first place. Stuart Hall has inspired me to get out there and take images which mean more than what is first seen on its surface level. Its important, where possible, to make an impact whether that be for 5 minutes or a 5 years after someone sees your art.