The most iconic photo from the post WWII world

There are some images, even in an era of multitudinous images, that stick with you for ever.  Of course, not constantly, life is too busy for that, but every so often it re-appears and you find yourself mentally nodding and remembering.  No doubt everyone has different images buried in their sub-consciousness but for me, this photo is ineradicable.

 

We all know where it was taken and t0day is the 30th anniversary of the event.  But the big question is who was he?  What happened to him?  How did he summon up the courage?  Also, I wonder about the tank commander who appeared to act with considerable restraint which probably did nothing for his future army career!

Let the icon stand forever as a constant reminder of individual human courage in the face of a monstrous government.

 

 

Comments

[Whitewall]

This says it all about the real China of today, in spite of the superficial glitz of "good Communism".

https://victorygirlsblog.com/tiananmen-square-death-freedom/

Twitter accounts are blacked out for this anniversary.

[Whyaxye]

He was undoubtedly brave, and the government was (is!) undoubtedly monstrous. But for me the power of this photo lies in the fact that this type of interaction would often happen during times of domestic repression or civil war. Both participants recognise something of themselves in the other. Shopping bag man is presumably appealing to the soldiers by reminding them that they share a culture and probably the same dreams, despite their military training. And the soldiers obviously see the truth in this, and don't react with hatred and violence. Human nature is always deeper than ideology and politics.

[Glesga]

David, what does a Glesga drunk in George Square and a tank in Tiananmen Square have in common? Both could murder a Chinky!

[Andra]

30 years.

[David Duff]

Thanks, Andra, must have been a disconnect between finger and brain - again!