From American slavery in the 1850s to gay marriage in the 21st century, the debate for equal rights seems to never quite go away. People like Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., or even more recently, Malala, each have made an impact on equal rights. In this cartoon by Tom Stiglich, Bruce Jenner is the one making an impact on equal rights for the LGBT community. As Jenner was once an Olympic runner himself, he seems to be depicted as one in this illustration. Jenner is running towards the finish line alongside a woman, who remains unknown. Through carefully selected word choices and powerful facial expressions, these two runners communicate that some type of victory has been won. What is most significant in this cartoon is what lies …show more content…
The expressions on the figures’ faces communicate that they are feeling victorious and ecstatic as they run past the finish line. However, Jenner’s face looks a bit more elated, with his arched eyebrows and wide-open mouth. The open mouth could suggest that he is yelling or screaming, while the woman is simply smiling. Why does Jenner seem to look more victorious than the woman? I think that this sense of immense triumph is symbolic for the way Jenner must have felt when he announced to the world of his new transgender identity. The woman on the other hand, does not seem to be a well-known celebrity, so one can assume that she represents a typical person supporting the LGBT …show more content…
With Jenner’s recent transformation to a woman, she can now advocate for the LGBT community in a way that a non-transgender couldn’t. I think it is also crucial to point out that the illustrator did not mention Caitlyn Jenner’s name, but instead Bruce’s. From my understanding of the issue, I think this was a smart move considering how controversial her transformation was to the world. By using Bruce’s name, it gives people a chance to fully analyze the cartoon rather than judging it straight off the bat. This would lead to an overall better understanding of what Bruce went through to get where she is today. The sign on the woman that says ‘LGBT community’ gives a clear message to viewers that Caitlyn is on this community’s side, in terms of support. Although the woman might have a back-story as crazy as Jenner’s, I think her presence as an average woman is crucial to the illustration. She brings the equal rights issue down to a level where ordinary people feel like they can be a part of it too. I think it also vital to point out the fact that ‘USA’ is printed across Bruce’s chest. Along with the colors red, white and blue, this phrase shows that the nation is in a monumental movement towards equality for members of the