At First Glance

At first glance you think it is a black man with a gun in his hand aimed and ready to fire.  

This picture was taken in front of the Tate Modern Art Museum in London.  At closer inspection you realize that it is not a gun, but a video camera. The intense and aggressive picture forces me to re-evaluate our assumptions and teaches us to counteract pessimistic stereotypes. 

With no words at all this picture is a perfect example of the false impression many countries have on one another. Going to study abroad, I was warned that the people of London were rude and have a negative outlook on Americas. After getting to know a handful of Londoners last year, I was so surprised how false everything I heard was, just as they were surprised to be proven wrong on their previous views of Americans. 

I was shown, just as this picture portrays, that you cannot judge a person on impressions or stereotypes that have previously been formed. You must look closely at the culture just as you must look closely at this picture to be able to see what it truly is. Looking closer into their culture I found that London is a place of so much interesting history and full of people who are proud of what their country represents and the tradition it carries.