Maggie: Was it a Snowball Fight or a Protest?

I think that this article in particular capitalizes on this idea of appropriation by suggesting that Michigan State University uses a photo of Maggie as a remediation for school advertisements. The article calls into questions the ideas that Miller has made about genre. Ridolfo and Rife support the idea that Maggie’s image has been misused, whereas, arguments made by Miller coincides with the arguments that Michigan State University makes about using the image.

Ridolofo and Rife mention the idea of appropriation by stating that, “Maggie never consented to or approved of the university using her image” (228). Although sources say that, “she had little right to privacy,” it appears that the original image was intended for a protest, not for the commercial use by the university (Ridolofo and Rife 231). The purpose of conducting a protest was to draw attraction to the cause by developing appropriate supporting discourse. Since, the university has taken this idea out of the established context, the argument made by the WRC doesn’t withhold the proper value. Those who are encounter the image of Maggie within various places on the school website may fail to understand the intended purpose given that it appears in different forms on various mediums. This idea is furthered supported by the orphan works that “acknowledges that things people make can detach from their creators and take on meaning and power that was never anticipating,” therefore suggesting that remediation can take on a completely different meaning (Ridolofo and Rife 233).  Other arguments suggest that Maggie’s image is part of the institution, because she is the “child” of the university (Ridolofo and Rife 234). Regardless, these ideas support the overarching issue of the appropriation of Maggie’s image.

Additionally, these theorists call into question issues of privacy and publicity. Maggie may have initially been considered just a “girl” or “student” that attends the university, but by using her image may have considered her to become more of a public figure. Her image has been found on many handbooks and websites affiliated with the school causing her to become clearly identifiable among students. By using her image repeatedly, students may begin to associate her as being in support of the promotional events/ uses set forth by the university. The law “protects items that are fixed and original, but that fixation must be authorized” (Ridolofo and Rife 236). There was at no point that Maggie gave consent for the University to use her photos without earning any type of rights from them.

Miller may have agreed with the university’s society based on her theories about genre. Miller believes that genre “depends upon the complexity and diversity of the society,” therefore the university is able to use the photo for their own uses (163). If Miller believes that genre is shaped by society, than the society over the individual may have control over the privacy or publicity of the individual. She also believes that “genres help constitute the substance of our cultural life,” meaning that the university may use the photo as a way to portray the culture found on campus (Miller 163). For instance, the university may think that the photo portrays a picture of young woman having fun on a snow day rather than a young woman participating in a protest. This idea protects the university from appropriation.

Miller’s last major implication arises from the idea that genre “connects the private with the public (163).” This idea supports the university’s claim that Maggie was in a public place subject to very little privacy. They may have also said that there is no issue of publicity, considering she wasn’t a public figure. To which, Maggie could rebut that she was a public figure when included on a promotional items that may have affected her mental health.

In conclusion, the issue of appropriation is addressed multiple times throughout the article as both sides attempt to find a middle ground. The issue of appropriate doesn’t seem to be completely resolved with arguments supporting both sides. Does Maggie become a public figure due to the controversy that arose giving her agency to defend her privacy?