Hi Koye,

I don’t think that man is a prisoner. I think he’s just sitting on some steps enjoying life.

I suspect that I chose that image because the railings look like bars on a cage, suggesting that he might be imprisoned. I imagine that I thought that him smiling and looking happy in spite of our imagination that he’s in prison would create a strong contrast that would draw in readers.

Although I can’t remember exactly why I chose this image, I can imagine that I was making a statement about how minorities are often disenfranchised from political systems, even when they are not incarcerated. Given the disproportionate representation of minorities in prisons, and the tendency for prisoners to be disenfranchised, I can imagine that I was attempting to show that the article is focusing on one way a broader injustice is instantiated through the prison system.

I think that’s everything. Thanks for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to express all of this.

Duncan