Monday, September 26, 2016

Go Mean or Go Green?

This poster for Jill Stein is very different than traditional posters for democratic or republican candidates. The colors and images used in this poster attract and audience that maybe is undecided or against the larger party candidates. Green is traditionally associated as good, healthy, and progressive. "Green means go" is hardwired into our culture, the poster uses this subconscious bias for the color green in it's favor. The vast majority of political propaganda is red or blue. Green is against the status quo for candidates posters. Standing out against the message tells the audience what kind of candidate Jill Stein is. This poster has a pathos rhetorical argument. Jill is not like the the harsh red and blue candidates, she is a healthy alternative. The colors also reflect the main priorities Jill has and what she values. Jill is a green party candidate, she values the ecosystem and the health of our planet. 
Jill Stein does not fall into the normal cookie-cutter image for a candidate. The popular and well known candidates in the lime light have stereotypical ideologies and perspectives on pressing issues. The outline of the eagle with the green American flag filling it in argues that Jill is beyond other candidates. Not red or blue, the eagle is not tethered to parties or constructs that have been detrimental to the Unites States in the past. The eagle is the national icon of freedom here in America. While elephants and donkeys can be stubborn. The eagle however, that represents Jill, is wise and patriotic. The image of the eagle offers a pathos appeal. Viewers of this poster are drawn to the eagle. The American people see the eagle as a majestic and powerful creature. A candidate represented by an image of an eagle is looking out for the American people and has no time for political party bureaucracy and time wasting. Viewers think that this candidate is all American, has American interests, and wants to fight for and represent the American people.  

1 comment:

  1. Your analysis of the meanings of the color green is really interesting, I never would've thought about it that way. There's a lot of implications with the green that we often forget about, nice job addressing them!

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