
The man in the photo is praying for someone or some divinity figure to come an end this never-ending war. The main object is the the face of the child. It is indefinitely brighter and whiter than any other figure in the photo, resembling a sense of peace and serenity within the chaotic and un-focus background. The presentation of the un-focus background makes the argument that the life they are experiencing is not focus and that the path in which they have chosen, to fight for the Americans, has been unsteady and unpredictable. Now they fend for themselves and try to escape the Laotian and Vietnamese troops that see these Hmong freedom fighters as traitors and terrorist. The photo makes you take the position of wanting to help them, voicing your opinions to Congress to help them receive amnesty within Laos and Vietnam. This photo makes you take the position against communism in SE Asia, makes you identify yourself as an American-liberty and freedom, democracy and justice for all.
What a powerful image. You are completely correct, the first thing that your eyes go to is the bright face of the child. An innocent face surrounded by chaos. My heat immediately goes out to the man and young boy photographed here.
ReplyDeleteI also thought that this photo is universal, in the fact that it doesn't show a specific religion or clearly defines when the photo was taken. I think everyone can agree that we want to protect our children from harm, and that is exactly what the man is doing in the photo.
Thank you for all of the historical information!