A viral photo of a cop hugging a boy at a Portland Ferguson protest this week was in reality staged publicity stunt. The boy was holding a sign that was offering “free hugs.”
The moment, which was supposed to be spontaneous, was actually staged by a photographer who suggested the pair embrace.
Mainstream press outlets reported the “moment” like this: Portland rally was 12-year-old Devonte Hart, who stood crying out of sadness over the events in Ferguson. He was holding a “Free Hugs” sign. Portland Police Sgt. Bret Barnum saw the boy’s sign and asked if he could have a hug. The boy gave him one. h/t yahoonews
Devonte’s mom was eager to play along deeming the moment as “one of the most emotionally charged experiences I’ve had as a mother.”
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This is all you got? Don't get me wrong. I'm interested in this topic. But I want credible information. So the photographer staged this? According to who? The photographer? Witnesses? The only thing I've see is another photographer on the scene blogging. He posted some really crappy pics of his own that don't show much and looked like they were shot at a different time of day. He was concerned about the cropping. And he said the scene was a bit contrived. I can believe that. But he didn't say anything about the moment being staged or coached.
You say it was a publicity stunt. Perpetrated by who? Evidence? Quotes?
The thing is, there ARE often real, genuine moments that occur even within staged or contrived situations. If that was the case, perhaps that context needs to be clarified.
The photo is powerful. If the moment was truly spontaneous, even if the stage was contrived, it still has relevancy and a poignant message. If the moment was coached, then the message is undermined.
But you just gotta give us more than this if you are going to challenge the picture's authenticity.