Through the rubble, something better will emerge

on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

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.


  Caption: A girl sought help on Monday after three bombs exploded within about 10 minutes during Baghdad’s afternoon rush, killing her mother. Photo by: Ayman Oghann
  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.


The family in Nebraska had been attempting to adopt little Bettania, age 7, and Dieunette, age 2, for the last three years but adoption and visa proceedings had been forcing them to wait. In the wake of Haiti's biggest, recent natural disaster, the U.S. decided to loosen its requirements and the girls were re-located to their new home immediately. For the full story go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/us/26orphans.html?scp=1&sq=haiti%20girls%20nebraska&st=cse

This photo is my favorite from this story: 





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