Magazine Cover
My "mock magazine cover" utilizes imagery from
the Greek myth of Atlas, one of the sons of Poseidon who supported the world on
his shoulders. The intent was to convey the gravity of the immigration
situation as it is often portrayed in the media. By painting Atlas with
stars and stripes and giving him liberty's crown, he is obviously meant to be
associated with the United States. The bleak colors and landscape again
demonstrate the seriousness of the situation. Atlas is not hefting the
globe in a sunny field with daisies blooming, but on jagged rocks, under dark,
stormy clouds. No stance is taken in this piece on whether Atlas' chore
was imposed on him, or self inflicted.
The first of the headlines, asking weather America has "too much to
handle," defines the globe as the weighty issue of continued immigration.
The other headlines demonstrate more immigration themes to be found in the
media, including the tendency to lump political refugees into the same category.
They are not as alarmist as some, although they definitely aim to grab the
reader's attention (as any headline does). In particular, the title "How
will America adapt?" is meant to convey a sense that the country will be able to
cope with the issue, even though it may require some major (and even painful)
changes as a whole. Although Atlas is obviously struggling, he has not yet
let his responsibility fall.
An interesting side note, in light of the context of this piece: in my
research, I discovered a version of the myth where Atlas is turned to stone by
Perseus as punishment for not being hospitable. . .
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