Daniel Jarrell-Rourke

Period 6
Visual Rhetoric Analysis
In Scheinbaums portrait of rapper and activist Chuck D, he uses contour,
contrast, and emphasis to highlight Chucks role in African-American culture and his
push for equality, as well as act as a visual representation of his music. The overuse of the
color black in this portrait symbolizes his passion for achieving equal African-American
treatment across the board. In the portrait hes wearing a black shirt which blends into the
already nearly completely black background. The contour of most of the edges causes
everything to morph together, symbolizing something similar to the, amorphous mass.
Then the contour of the edges of his shirt are sharper and more apparent. The contrast of
his actual skin against the shirt is very apparent. The sweat causes his skin to shine, and
being surrounded by blackness, resembles a star. The use of this contrast was to signify
that African-Americans shine just as much as every other person on earth. Rather, all
people shine. This was a very important message Chuck D agrees with and it becomes
apparent throughout his music. When a viewer first looks at this portrait, ones eyes are
drawn to Chuck himself. The emphasis is Chuck. His skin, hat, and the microphone he is
holding are much lighter and brighter than the rest of the scene. However, his face is
enveloped in shadow. The reason his face is covered is to symbolize the fact that he is
talking about all black people. He doesnt want to put a face on it because then it would
take away from what is the true message behind everything Chuck stands for: equality for
all. Aside from the clear symbolism of black and white symbolizing racial issues, it also
represents Chuck Ds music. His music is very urban, using street sounds like sirens and
alarms in his records. A listener can tell the environment of the music is city-like. The use

of black and white in the portrait reminds a viewer of a city. Cities are usually made up of
the colors black, white, and grey which are the only colors present in the portrait. And
because most of the racial issues Chuck discusses are in cities, the whole thing comes full
circle. Scheinbaums use of contour, contrast, emphasis, and utilization of black and
white effectively revealed Chuck Ds powerful activism for African Americans achieved
through his music and through his political work.
S - The speaker is David Scheinbaum, a photographer
O - The immediate occasion is one of Chuck Ds concerts. The long term occasion is the
continuous mistreatment of African Americans in todays society.
A - The audience is anyone who believes in equality. It also could specifically be
followers of Chucks music as well as his activism.
P - The purpose is to show Chuck Ds role in African-American culture as well as to give
black people pride.
S - The subject is Chuck D, rapper and racial activist
Tone - The tone of the portrait is powerful. Chuck D, clearly performing on stage, doing
well for himself and having made it out of a tough past resembles the power all people
possess. The use of black and white reveal this powerful tone as well by acting as a
symbol for black people throughout society.