Simply Put
Vibrant colors, big font, glitter, and flashing lights all catch our attention. Naturally, people are drawn to those types of advertisements. However, every once in a while a simple black and white illustration with tiny print and a controversial picture will capture the attention of many. Issues are better understood when they are put in a language most people understand. Fillip Spagnoli takes a stand against exploiting factory workers. He manipulates words and illustration to appeal to the audience; he does so effectively because he uses the three rhetorical appeals: ethos, logos, and pathos.
Fillip Spagnoli is a published writer and poet who is known worldwide for his opinionated novels and thoughtful poetry on major issues occurring in society. He gives voice to those who have been silenced. Because he is so well know, both the article and political cartoon are trusted and accepted as truth. In his article, he states on fact after another, giving the reader the impression he knows what he is talking about. The use of logos and ethos are used well; all the statements he is making appear both logical and likely. Spagnoli also gives voice to the other side of the argument. He is now seen as an unbiased individual who is opened minded and therefore further trusted by the reader. He is confident in his opposition to sweatshops so much so that he will give voice to the opposing party. He doesn’t site specific scientists or research study but his facts are not outlandish and impossible to comprehend as true.
The visual helps to support his stance against sweatshops, specifically those run and operated by Nike. The picture itself is not embellished with colors and big font. It is black and white, simply drawn, and has font that is rather childish looking. Simplicity is key in this case. Nike is seen as a reliable sports brand that many athletes and famous people wear and endorse. The famous phrase “Just do it” encourages individuals to take a chance and push themselves to the limit. Second guessing oneself is not a concept that Nike encourages. However, when it is rephrased to say, “Just do it or else” we get a different feel for it. It is now a threat rather than an encouragement. Many sweatshops in third world countries hire workers who don’t have any other choice but to work in these horrible conditions; their families will starve if they don’t work to support them ( Spagnoli, 2009). The Nike symbol is a check mark. It symbolizes something that is positive, correct, or something that is condoned. In this illustration, the check mark is now being held by an individual in a suit and is being thrusted like a whip. The hand is nicely dressed; it can be assumed that this individual is a business man. The illustrator chooses to dress the hand in such an outfit to further explain the fact that these sweatshop owners are slave drivers; Spagnoli stated that these working conditions correspond to “modern day slavery” (Spagnoli, 2009). It can be seen as a threaded whip or a whip with the pattern of a zipper. It is drawn in a large scale and diverts our attention to it first before we read the text. By doing so, one better understands what point they are trying to make in reference to Nike. The illustrator is trying to emphasize the “modern day” slavery concept. The writing is not written in huge font because bigger isn’t better. It forces the reader to focus and really look at the small print towards the bottom of the page. The Nike check mark is no longer a positive sign. Most factories mass produce clothing and shoes. Zippers are customarily used to hold together the articles of clothing. The zipper is a symbol of the working seamstress. The individual holding the whip is no ordinary man, but rather a business man in a suit. Those individuals rule the factory world with an iron fist. The business man sees money signs when he sees rows and rows of working individuals; they think of the profit rather than the protection of their employees. All these details come together and spell out slavery. This political cartoon wants to shed a bad light on Nike because they utilize sweatshops to produce their products. The factories have more female and children employees who work for less than minimum wage; working conditions are horrible and their health is constantly in jeopardy ( Spagnoli, 2009) Many people in third world countries do not see the factories as we do; having a job is a blessing. However, we know better and we can spot abuse a mile away. Although the factories do create many jobs, it doesn’t justify the abuses that go on in there. The audience and reader get a sense of pathos because everyone can sympathize for those in need; those who don’t have a voice and cannot speak for themselves.
Both the visual and article complement each other even though in the article Spagnoli gives voice to the opposing party. The illustration is serious yet playful and the article gives it a more logical and credible feel to it. They both could stand independent of each other. They would still deliver the same message just not as effectively. Most humans respond to information better when they have an illustration that comes along with the text. Simplicity is beautiful and extremely powerful. The illustration and article draws our attention from the material world back to reality where all the abuses and cheating thrive.
References
Spagnoli, Filip. 2009 Feb, 2. Human Rights Cartoon (119): Sweatshops.
