In the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon we are taught to see the beauty in every situation, even the awful ones. I used to think it was almost pointless to keep up on current events but now I look forward to reading the New York Times everyday, after all, current events are what my industry is all about. The situation in Iraq has become quietly frightening. Elections are just weeks away and more soldiers leave everyday increasing hostilities in the form of violence. On Monday, during rush hour, three bombs went off within ten minutes of each other in a coordinated attack to rumble the foundation of the fragile capital, Baghdad. I had every intention of reading this article anyway considering it is a situation that America is directly involved in but this photo had a huge impact on me.
The girl has her hands out as if to reach for aid but also displaying her utter helplessness through the situation. Her face is twisted up in pain and defeat as she lost her mother in this attack. The photo is beautiful and photojournalism at its best. The only part I have a hard time grasping is that someone had to go up and take a photo of this poor grieving girl without so much as a slight hesitation. It's a tough job, no doubt about that.
Through the rubble and the dust new life always emerges, through tragedy and pain someone will find their way. Another story in yesterday's New York Times was about two little girls from Haiti who got a new home.
