Wing Young Huie

Four Young Friends, Minneapolis, MN

Author: Wild Young Huie
Date: 1997-2000
Location: Lake Street USA

This photo was taken by Wing Young Huie. It displays a group of four young friends. Two of the African-American kids are wearing tight shorts and untied shoes, while the other two white American kids are wearing full clothing without shoes. The white American girl has her hand around both the other white American boy and African-American child. The other African-American boy has his hand around the other African-American child. The white Americans are smiling, while the other African-American children are not.

There are several strong social and cultural connotative meanings behind this photo. The children's clothes demonstrate social and economical ties in society.The two African-American kids have inadequate clothing, which signifies a low status and income for their family and a small role in society. On the other hand, the white American children have full and colorful clothing denoting a higher status and income in the society. 

The white American girl has her hand around both children of color showing her acceptance of them. However, neither of the African-American children have his or her hand around the white American children. The African-American child only has his hand over the other colored child displaying his acceptance to him only. Also only the white American children are smiling, neither of the other African-American children are smiling. This shows dissatisfaction and rejection. 

In this photo, the African-American children are regarded as the "others" because of their appearance and facial expressions. Not only are they considered "others" by the society, but they also consider themselves as the "others". This outlook is shown by the African-American child placing his hand only on the other colored child. This signifies indifference to the other two white children. 

Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid's Tale portrays the "others" conveniently through a social recognition system. The handmaids are a designated red color, the Marthas are green, and the wives are blue. This color coding system defines social status and work. There is no color code which specifies men to a status. The women are strictly divided and confined by their work and societal role.

Wild Young Huie uses stereotypes to depict the African-American children. The African-American children are inferior compared to the white American children in terms of clothes and attitude. The white American children have better clothes and friendly smiles, while the other two do not. However, Huie and Atwood represent the "others" in a specific way: clothing. Both texts depict clothing as the key interpreter of the "other". The handmaids had the white wings and red robes, while these African-American kids had the undersized shorts.