I chose this photo because it deals with a subject that I have only heard about or seen sanitized versions of in the cinema. It manages to showcase the stark contrast in the level of respect different portions of the population had to endure. It also manages to put into focus the utter disdain that southern whites had for African-Americans during this time period.
The photographer's vantage point appears to have been across what seems to be a hallway. In endeavoring to capture this image as an aspect of history, he has also put his own personal "slant" on the photo by taking it slightly tilted to one side. This tilt, even if unintended, has placed the word "Colored" lower than "White", which helps to epitomize the essence of this time period's treatment of African-Americans. With the framing of the photo around only the water coolers and the one man in a nondescript hallway, the image becomes universal because it could have been taken anywhere in the majority of buildings in North Carolina during this time period.
As I studied the picture, I began to notice an ever increasing number of details that showcased the disparity between how whites and African-Americans were treated. The major one was the different styles of the water fountains. For the whites, the water fountain is electronically cooled and filtered thereby making sure the water was always refreshing and clean to drink, while for the African-Americans, the water went straight to the water fountain without these amenities, which means the water was always at room temperature and possibly contained impurities. I then noticed that the level of cleaning/maintenance was exceptionally different. While the water fountain for the whites has a well maintained appearance, the one for the African-Americans appears to have seen only minimal attention. Next I noticed how one could drink from these fountains. The one for the whites is of the style where you can comfortably drink from the arched stream of water, while the one for the African-Americans appears to be the style where you have to stoop and drink out of a "bowl", which brought to mind the image of animals drinking out of a trough. Finally, I noticed that the "Colored" water fountain was placed adjacent to an outcropping from the wall, which made it difficult and uncomfortable for African-Americans to get a drink as demonstrated by the figure in the photo, while the only thing barring whites from getting a drink would be their intolerance of African -Americans.
It amazes me in how many subtle ways whites tried to make African-Americans feel unwanted and less than human.
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