What Does It Mean to Look at This?

Teju Cole’s article about war photography made me take a step back and think about what attracts me personally to them. I remember when I was a teenager, probably 14, I saw pictures of Rwanda in the 1990’s and the Yugoslav wars and I found it eye opening, because these genocides happened when I was just born or a child so I didn’t even know that they had happened. Seeing those photos gave me context for the wider world around me and I was happy to see them, even though they were horrifying, because at least I now understand, even if just a little bit, about the society I am sharing with the billions of people around the planet. I feel the same way about the kids who were younger than me and did not live through or were too young to remember 9/11 or the recession. If no one shows them or tries to inform them about what happened how are they supposed to have context for society they were born into and are affected by as they grow older?

So I take offense to the fact that some view war photography as voyeurism. At the same time I agree with the sentiment, I feel like people look at these images, say “How horrible,” and then move on with their day, they have an emotional detachment and it turns into a piece of small talk instead of talking about the suffering of others.

It’s a divisive topic because where do you draw the line? And honestly you can’t because as the article says, the photos don’t tel the whole story, but they are on a life of their own. Some photos meant to just document a horrible event for the oppressive government turn into the evidence for the world to rise up and take action. Other photos meant to inspire righteous anger just get ignored in the shuffle of daily life in the 1st world. However I really can’t see how society is benefited form not having these photos, the argument itself essentially says, “some people will not use these war photos in the way I personally feel like they should so they should not exist.” Now that is a terrible mindset to have and with all things, they should be allowed into the world and mankind should be able to decide for themselves what value they have. I do find the thought about what do these pictures mean? To be a great discussion and we should keep having it.