I haven’t blogged in more than a month because I’ve been busy with other life priorities, but today, an image from The Atlantic forced me to stop and post:
The photo was snapped in Syria by Associated Press Photographer Manu Brabo, and the caption reads:
“A Syrian man cries while holding the body of his son near Dar El Shifa hospital in Aleppo, Syria, on October 3, 2012. Three suicide bombers detonated cars packed with explosives in a government-controlled area of the battleground Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, killing at least 34 people, leveling buildings and trapping survivors under the rubble, state TV said. More than 120 people were injured, the government said.”
As a journalist, I knew this image was more than just a photograph, and had to be shared. As a human being, it made me ask, “What will it take to stop this bloodshed?”
A friend and former colleague of mine is a survivor of the Bosnian War. Her family suffered genocide. Whenever I see images of that conflict, it affects me deeply, because I’ve watched my friend cry—decades later—as if the wounds are still fresh.
Syria is beginning to remind me eerily of Bosnia.
I do not know the answer. I’m aware the U.S. is not capable of getting involved in another conflict, but I find myself asking, “Where the heck is the REST of the world??”
What in God’s name will it take, to make this stop?
I too feel the sorrow depicted… and we in America have only had a taste of what it could be like… We do need to think about what direction our own country and it’s people are going… I only know to listen to our leaders… and try to distinguish the good from the bad… the truth from the lies… and use our privilege of voting… continuing to have faith and hope that our world can see and be more peaceful…
Very powerful image, Shari. You haven’t been blogging and I haven’t been reading. Time constraints are hitting a lot of us, I think.
On this link you will find an image equally as powerful and confronting, yet the unrest continues there too. http://teamoyeniyi.com/2011/01/13/been-silenced/
Like you, I don’t know what on earth we do. When will the human race stop trying to destroy itself?
Yes, I wish we had more time. LOL! I just visited your blog post and left you a comment there.
I sometimes feel like it’s been embedded into our DNA to want to destroy each other. It breaks my heart.
Thank you for visiting! You can see why I am writing the book of our journey.
It will never end. Conflict in the world has gone on since the dawn of time and will never stop. Sad…but true.
I know, it is sooooo sooooo sad. I hate seeing this type of needless suffering.
Oh my … so heart breaking… I echo every sentiment you’ve written.
I know, I feel like heartbreaking is too gentle of a word for what I felt after seeing this image. Yet, it’s the only word which came to mind.
Thanks for sharing. Powerful image.
Kurt, you’re welcome, but really, we should thank The Atlantic. If you have a moment, click on the photo and it will take you to the series of images posted by The Atlantic. They give a much more powerful perspective of what’s going on over there.
Thank YOU for becoming my blog’s newest subscriber, as well! I always appreciate meeting and connecting with new people.
–Shari