Watch this youtube video
A poem recorded in 2002 but still very relevant to today's climate. Understandably, this is why the Daily Mirror chose to use this image by punk artist Gee Vaucher 'Oh America' as their front cover on the day of the American election results.
Statue of Liberty -
1. The statue’s full name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
2. It was a gift from France, given to America in 1886.
3. The head of the statue was displayed at the World's Fair in Paris in 1878.
4. The robed female figure represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.
5. She holds a torch and tablet upon which is inscribed the date of American Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).
6. The seven spikes on the crown represent the seven oceans and the seven continents of the world, indicating the universal concept of liberty.
7.The designer Laboulaye proposed that a great monument should be given as a gift from France to the United States as a celebration of both the union’s victory in the American Revolution, and the abolition of slavery.
8. Abolition of slavery - African Americans saw the statue as an ironic image of America; professing to be a country of freedom and justice for everyone regardless of race, despite racism and discrimination continuing to exist.
Key questions:
- What do you know about the Daily Mirror? What is their political stance?
- What is the significance of this image being used by the Daily Mirror on the day of Trump's election victory?
- What messages is the newspaper projecting by using this image?
- Research Gee Vaucher and the history of the image
- Think about the information above and some of Trumps policies and beliefs to help you answering the questions.
