A Mirror Through Time: The March on Washington and the Black Lives Matter Protest

Recently, the American people have been in an outcry—yearning for the equality they

deserve, given to them by the words in the Constitution. Civil unrest has invigorated a mass of

people into displaying their restlessness. For centuries, protests have been modeled in American

society, from the Boston Tea Party in the late 1700s, to Black Lives Matter marches in the 21st

century (Protest). Even now, with the presence of social media making the ability to protest seem

ineffective, citizens in the 21st century still find it practical to physically voice their opinions on

societal reform. Americans find protesting to be a fundamental human right that can persuade

everyone - from everyday class citizens to lawmakers and governmental leaders - to make

changes in their operations. An earlier example of this phenomenon is displayed by the March on

Washington in 1963. Over 250,000 American citizens of all races joined together for a massive

protest march that aimed to bring attention to the "continuing challenges and inequalities faced

by African Americans a century after emancipation." (History.com Editors) A powerful photo

taken from the march on Washington displays a group of black and white Americans with looks

of determination in their eyes, as they hold posters rooting for justice and march for an end to

violence. Fifty-seven years later, an identical photo is taken of protestors in part of the Black

Lives Matter movement that made a resurgence after George Floyd's death in May of 2020.

George Floyd, a black man who allegedly bought cigarettes with counterfeit money and was

killed by cops after being detained, reignited a spark in millions of Americans, who felt angered

by the police brutality and inequality still present in society. Nevertheless, the Black Lives

Matter movement aims to bring attention to the police brutality and racism ongoing in the United

States by holding thousands of protests across the country in small towns and large cities.

According to a poll published by the New York Times, 15 to 26 million Americans participated

in the Black Lives Matter protests in the month of June alone - a thousand times the number of
protesters in the March on Washington (Buchanan, Larry, et al). Regardless of the number of

protesters, both protests aim to end police brutality and unfairness in social circumstances for the

black community in America. Both pictures captured from the March on Washington and Black

Lives Matter protest - despite being half a century apart -synonymously identify protestors

holding signs that have to deal with ending police violence and voicing political rights. Not only

does each photo represent the continuum of protesting in the course of America's history, but

they also create a haven for black individuals who want to feel secure and have their voices

heard. Each photo equally conveys itself as a civic artifact, where kairos and commonplaces of

justice and diversity are exemplified, and rhetorical strategies such as pathos appeal to the

viewers' empathy towards civil injustice.

The photos from the Black Lives Matter protest and the March on Washington equally

display the kairotic times of each era that the protestors live through. The image from the March

on Washington in 1963 showcases just a snippet of the number of individuals who showed up to

the protest, which is currently deemed one of the biggest non-violent civil rights rallies in US

history. (The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (Article)) However, this small group

of individuals encapsulates the kairos of the entire event in the simple fact that the march took

place during the Civil Rights Movement, where people were seizing any time they could to fight

against the stigma placed on the Black Americans. The March on Washington brought together

people from all walks of life to demonstrate the need for African Americans to be granted full

civil, political, and economic rights. The civic artifact was captured during a pivotal moment in

America's history, where citizens were demanding desegregation of all schools, jobs,

communities, and other public facilities and accommodations. A common kairotic goal that the

protestors in the photo shared was to change Black Americans' livelihoods for the better. The
more current photo successfully displays kairos, as the image was taken during the Black Lives

Matter movement's propitious peak. The protestors firmly extend their arms and display posters,

some of which say "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice, No Peace." The fact that the civic

artifact was captured presently - where American citizens see 2020 as an opportune moment to

take action on the civil injustice present in the nation for hundreds of decades - builds its kairos

and appeals to the viewers' responsibility to act on their civic duties. In each photo, the protestors

exercise their civic privileges by "seizing the moment" to educate others and give each

movement more public awareness. (The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (Article)).

Comparatively speaking, both artifacts use kairos' rhetorical strategy to display the very

definition of civic engagement, where people of all races come together and address the need for

more awareness and respect towards the black community during unpredictable times.

Despite being decades apart, both civic artifacts display timeless commonplace - a need

for justice and diversity when inequality is present. One of the March on Washington protesters

holds up an "End To Police Brutality Now" poster, posing a common belief during the 1960s.

Black Americans were thought to be negatively stigmatized by police forces and unjustly

handled in interactions with these forces. Similarly, a poster from the Black Lives Matter

movement says, "Police Reform Now," which holds the same belief as the March on Washington

sign. Both artifacts call for an end to how the Black community has been unfairly treated by

police enforcement due to the stigma surrounding the color of their skin. Both photos display a

commonplace for diversity as well, where black Americans are not the only group fighting for

justice. Groups of white Americans are seen in each image, standing side-by-side with black

Americans and supporting their cause. The commonplace for diversity is highlighted by the mix

of race in each photo. The commonplace for diversity is effective in each picture by insinuating
that people of all races should be able to come together to make a significant impact on a cause

and truly bring awareness to society. The similarity between the posters and races of people in

both photos formulates the commonplace for justice and diversity that has been shared over time

as a fundamental civil right.

Both artifacts' presence of commonplaces and kairos only scratch the surface of their

rhetorical ideologies and appeals. The rhetorical appeal of pathos brings about a source of

symbolism in both artifacts. The photo taken from the March on Washington conveys a sense of

pathos from a different perspective. Although there was racial tension occurring during the

March on Washington, thousands of citizens went to Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act to

ensure the fair treatment and equal opportunity that all black community members would

receive. (Nunez, Gabriella, and Erin Dobrzyn) The peaceful protest, which is captured in the

photo, swayed lawmakers to pass the legislation a year later, guaranteeing equal voting rights

and outlawing discrimination in public areas and facilities. (Nunez, Gabriella, and Erin Dobryzn)

In this instance, the photo brings the viewer a sense of pride, since these protestors were able to

shake the nation to where civil reform was finally passed in office. The mix of people from black

and white communities displayed in the artifact also brings the viewer a sensation of security

within their community since protestors on opposite sides of the spectrum could fight together

for the same cause. This photo is one of many that can symbolize the Civil Rights Movement's

true success, giving protesters portrayed in the present artifact the confidence to demand more

justice. Another interesting thing to note is the masks worn by the protesters in the more recent

photo. The masks themselves bring upon a multitude of emotions to the viewer. Not only are the

protestors physically suffering in the summer heat, but they have to wear masks to prevent the

spread of COVID-19, which makes it even harder to breathe. George Floyd's famous quote
before death, "I can't breathe," can also be symbolically highlighted by protesters' inability to

breathe easily during their protest. Not only may the viewer come to this realization, but they are

again reminded of a deadly worldwide pandemic simultaneously occurring. It is almost as if

America is fighting two wars at once - one against the injustice faced by black Americans and

the worldwide pandemic. Viewers of this photo feel proud of the protestors pushing through the

summer heat to fight for a more significant cause and feel a sense of pity to see America's demise

to a global virus. The masks of the photo display a powerful message, as they showcase how the

protesters are not letting their masks metaphorically "silence" them, but do the contrary, by

practicing their civil rights. The masks and protestors symbolize civic engagement, as they

represent how millions across the country cannot be silenced on this, even when an

uncontrollable virus can get the best of us. Because unlike a worldwide pandemic, civic injustice

is a virus that can be stopped with enough social awareness and proper education.

The history of protesting and push for civil rights is artistically highlighted in the civic

artifacts from both Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter protests. More specifically, the

progression of acceptance and security granted to the Black community is an unfinished tale.

Protestors from the past, today, and tomorrow will want minorities to be freed from the

oppression of fear caused by the fraction of racist individuals in the country, whether they are

affiliated with law enforcement or not. As long as civic artifacts such as the photos from the

March on Washington and the Black Lives Matter protest can reappear throughout future events,

there will be an indication of positive change in American society. No matter how technology

progresses, protests that occur physically in-person will continue to occur, as they bring a

sensation of belonging, confidence, and awe to viewers around the globe.

 Works Cited

Buchanan, Larry, et al. “Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History.” The

New York Times, The New York Times, 3 July 2020,

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html.

Hill, Evan, et al. “How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody.” The New York Times, The

New York Times, 1 June 2020,

www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html.

History.com Editors. “March on Washington.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct.

2009, www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington#:~:text=The March on

Washington was,challenges and inequalities faced by.

“The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy,

www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/civil-rights-movement/a/the-mar

ch-on-washington-for-jobs-and-freedom.

Nunez, Gabriella, and Erin Dobrzyn. “Protesting Is Part of American History, These Historic

Demonstrations Led to Changes in US Policy.” WKMG, WKMG News 6 &

ClickOrlando, 12 June 2020,

www.clickorlando.com/features/2020/06/10/protesting-is-part-of-american-history-these-h

istoric-demonstrations-led-to-changes-in-us-policy/.

“Policing the Police: A Civil Rights Story.” Origins,

origins.osu.edu/article/policing-police-civil-rights-story.

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protest.