Sometimes I read things, and they affect me deeply.
But more often I see them. I’m quite a visual person. It’s a wonderful sense to have.
Photographs mean a lot to me. Not just because I’m into photography, but because they have the power to tell a story. The phrase “a picture says a thousand words” can be true with the right picture.
That’s not to belittle or deride words. Words are probably equally as important, but often lose the impact of a picture.
I’m absorbed by the beauty of the things I see, and yet I feel I’m an imposter. I get lost within the moment and then stop to think about it rationally, logically and feel simply ridiculous.
I’m an imposter.
But that wasn’t the point of this post. The point of this post was to say that I have been deeply affected by war photographs recently. War is far more terrifying than the sugar coated view that we are shown in the press. War is awful.
And while at this point, I might be expected to say – and probably should – “maximum respect for our soldiers”, I won’t. I don’t feel that I can.
Our soldiers deserve respect, of course they do. They fight for us, for “the cause”, for whatever they want to fight for. They’re prepared to die for this, which shows so much more passion, commitment and drive (and for the cynical, brainwashing) than most people will ever show in their entire lives. That deserves so much respect.
But at the same time, think of the other side. What about their soldiers? We’re the terrorists to them. There’s a fine, fine line between freedom fighter and terrorist. Between right and wrong.
And what about the civilians? The killing of innocents will never be acceptable.
I say maximum respect to everyone and everything.
…Stupid hippy diatribe.
