evocative red scare

Portrait of Ronald Reagan with Mary Lou Retton and the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. Photographer- unknown.

This photograph appeals to me because of the juxtaposition between Reagan, who may have been one of the biggest supporters of a deregulated economy in the U.S. and the rows of people dressed in the same threatening red blazers that are symbolizing a communist or socialist state. The bright red is a lot to take in, it attacks the viewer, giving off a sense of danger. The gold medals are what really catch my attention. They deviate from the waves of red and occasional light blue throughout the photograph, the beholder of these medals is being embraced by Reagan and the two are taking precedence over the rest of the subjects by filling most of the frame. This could, perhaps, be taken as a statement about how moving forward or away from from communism and towards capitalism is a winning move; though the two "winners" are still bound by their red outfits, still connecting them with the others, we are all equal, we are all human.