Why did Oswald "show off" his handcuffs to the reporters?

[Steve M. Galbraith]

All we can do is express our opinions regarding this. To me it is an obvious symbol. Here is an interesting website showing the various ways in which people have used the fist as symbols over time and different contexts. Click on the i at the bottom left of each photo for a description.

https://phmuseum.com/galleries/the-fist-photos-on-the-polysemy-of-the-fist


For me this seems to be the best match to what we see in the context of the photo of LHO’s salute.

My guess is that it was a "Look at what they're doing to me!" explanation, playing the victim card, versus a "Long live the Revolution" defiance theory.

You have to look at it in the fuller context, of how he was publicly acting. Privately he was defiant; publicly he was the "I don't know what this is about, I'm a victim".

[Charles Collins]

I strongly lean towards the "Look at what they're doing to me!" explanation, i.e., playing the victim card, versus a "Long live the Revolution" defiance theory.

You have to look at it in the fuller context, of how he was acting. Privately he was defiant; publicly he was the "I don't know what this is about, I'm a victim".

Yes, he was “playing the victim”. However, he was a manipulator. That is to be expected in an act by a manipulator. But, the fist is incongruous with the type of display one might expect for being a victim. Also, when we put his writing the following into the context, the anarchy thing makes a lot of sense to me.

I wonder what would happen if somebody was to stand up and say he was utterly opposed not only to the governments, but to the people, too ...

Most of the people who encountered LHO after he was arrested said he appeared to be defiant, arrogant, etc. Like Lance, I would like to see his expressions leading up to the fist display and afterwards. I cannot help but believe that he must have thought that the fist was a somewhat discreet way for him to show his true colors. Thankfully, the photo of the monk in Saigon on fire reminded me that LHO is burning eternally down below…

[Jon Banks]

By far the most common explanation I've seen is that he was making a Marxist statement with his raised fist. That would scarcely seem to make sense if he was playing the innocent patsy card.

Since he squawked about police brutality, my guess would be that he was just showing how harshly he was being treated. He recognized a photo opportunity when he saw one.

Sorry but the Black Power/Black Panther movement didn’t begin until 1966.

Doubtful that what you describe was Oswald’s intent.

Aside from that, there’s no proof that LHO was a real communist in 1963.

After he returned from the Soviet Union, he was more critical of communism in his writings. Robert Oswald also noted that Lee had moderated his political views after he returned.

[Tom Graves]

After he returned from the Soviet Union, Oswald was more critical of communism in his writings. Robert Oswald also noted that Lee had moderated his political views after he returned.

Lefty-Right Banksy,

That's probably what the KGB told him to do.

D'oh!

[Zeon Mason]

Nowadays, a person accused of assassinating the US president and mob style executing a police officer would have his hands changed to a waist chain and also have ankle chains that barely allow the suspect to walk.

So kind of curious how the authorities were so lenient with Oswald allowing him lots of opportunity for photos and poses. Like as though they were handlng a CIA asset  very carefully?

[Tom Graves]

Nowadays, a person accused of assassinating the US president and mob style executing a police officer would have his hands changed to a waist chain and also have ankle chains that barely allow the suspect to walk. So, kind of curious how the authorities were so lenient with Oswald allowing him lots of opportunity for photos and poses. Like as though they were handlng a CIA asset very carefully?

Have you always been paranoidly anti-CIA?

[Tom Graves]

I strongly lean towards the "Look at what they're doing to me!" explanation, i.e., playing the victim card, versus a "Long live the Revolution" defiance theory.

Dear Steve M.,

I strongly lean towards the idea that you're a bit naive and gullible.

-- Tom