21.9.11

Aloha - please read the New York Times article below this blog post for reference! 

Tyler Hicks is one of my favorite and one of the best fotogs out there now known for his incredible images. Somalia is one of the most dangerous places on the planet now. Most, if not all agencies have pulled out now. While stories like these remain the most frustrating to me simply because I can do nothing . . . I also recoil in disgust at our own ritualized response of 'horror' or 'those poor people' while we sit in our comfortable stuffed lives. 

I have no ultimate answer. All I can suggest to any of us is that we do NOT refuse to look at this or other fotos. That we learn to plunge our intellect into the horror and sadness this represents so just maybe, somehow, someday, we can know more and spread the learning to make even a small change. 

Somalia is a failed state in every sense. Somalian warlords tear the country apart for personal and clan gain. The US is doing little to assist, mainly involved in trying to fight 'terrorism' instead of the terror represented by this image.  If it was us, our child or family what would you do? Let's start by spending some time on it. That's all.  There are good people doing great work there at terrible risk. They deserve help and recognition as do the Somalis. 

I woke up early, scanning the New York Times as per my usual and saw this story. Obviously I felt very compelled to share it - part of my own selfish need to expiate my own guilt at the part I play on the world stage.  Not meaning to preach but to learn and increase knowledge and awareness.

Thanks,

David

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