A picture from Egyptian protests taken by Scott Nelson, 2011.

 

In early 2011 Egyptian students went to the streets to protest against their ruler, Hosni Mubarak. Scott Nelson’s 2011 photograph depicts a large group of Egyptian citizens tearing down a large picture of their leader. The Egyptian population responded to Mubarak’s rule in such a ruthless way because Mubarak abused his power. For example, he maintained his power using military force and aloud his citizens only basic freedoms.  Also, he won three democratic elections not allowing an opposing party to run. He made all of government decision and gave the people no say in the government, contrary to democratic beliefs. Mubarak claimed that he was the democratic, president of Egypt, but he was essentially the dictator of Egypt for 30 years (BBC).

             Nelson’s picture informs the public about what was happening during the Egyptian revolution. The photograph shows three protesters ripping a huge picture of Hosni Mubarak. There is a large crowd is encouraging the men by watching and taking pictures. The picture of Mubarak that is being destroyed is exaggerated in size and depicts Mubarak watching over his people. The men tearing it down symbolizes that the Egyptians no longer want Mubarak watching over them. Notice in the crowd there are two people with their hands in a peace sign showing that by tearing down Mubarak they will have peace.  The picture gives the viewers incite that the people of Egypt peace and freedom from their revolution.

              The fact that the Egyptian revolution started shows how much Hosni Mubarak abused his power. The photograph reveals people’s anger and hatred towards Hosni Mubarak’s absolute rule. Millions of Egyptians flooded the street of Cairo, chanting anti-Mubarak slogans, and holding signs coercing Mubarak to resign. These large protests show the amount of people who disliked Mubarak and his total rule. Mubarak took advantage of his power that ended in his demise. This picture and “Louis XIV” depict two very different views on an absolute ruler’s rule, but they both show a ruler who abused their power. In this picture people want to destroy Mubarak’s rule; on the contrary, in “Louis XIV” the king’s rule is being celebrated.