Life — June 21, 1928 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a Life magazine cover featuring a caricatured male face in profile, labeled "EAST SIDE" and "WEST'S SIDE," suggesting a divided personality or competing interests. The figure wears a distinctive hat and has exaggerated features typical of 1920s satirical illustration. The cover announces content about "WILL ROGERS ON AL SMITH," referencing Will Rogers (a famous humorist and social commentator of the era) discussing Al Smith, the 1928 Democratic presidential candidate. Smith, a New York politician associated with the "East Side" (immigrant communities), faced significant controversy during his campaign, partly due to anti-Catholic sentiment and regional prejudices. The "two sides" imagery likely satirizes Smith's political positioning or the divided opinions about his candidacy during this contentious election year.