A US patrol officer is chasing two Haitian immigrants who attempt to reach Del Rio, Texas.
A white man on horseback chasing two black immigrants in the woods! Are we really in the 21st century? Paul Ratje captured a delicate picture that raises many questions.
It is an alarming image of the patrol officer who holds the immigrant with a strong fist from his t-shirt. It reveals the hidden complex of superiority that runs in the blood of the American system. In this respect, the agent with his horse, cowboy clothes and hat is very expressive.
First, the agent has a furious facial expression and his body is laying down from above to catch the man. Second, the officer uses his horse whip to beat the two men. These two shocking acts show that the USA views Haitians as savages, inferior and uncivilized who are invading their country.
The picture also denotes the miserable situation of Haitian people. Both men are holding food bags for the long journey ahead. Most of their clothes are wet because of the rivers they crossed.
The high rate of poverty in Haiti is pushing people to flee the country for a better life quality. The image of the two immigrants holding only food in their hands shows they left nothing behind in their homeland.
Author : Imad BAAZIZI
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