Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/04/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Indeed not - only in how it is expressed. Philip, I see your viewpoint, however what you were, as you wrote, expecting to see is not what Tina posted, and has little to do with the most certainly honorable goals you represent. Tina explained the pictures and her intent and her integrity is not to be doubted one iota. Depending on the age of the children to whom the pictures are to be shown, the type of pictures YOU wanted to see would never have the effect that you desire - in fact quite probably the opposite. What you obviously hoped to see are shots to shake adults into a frame of mind that will motivate them to support your (and your wife's) goals and the objectives of useful and meaningful international aid. A noble and important cause indeed - but please refrain from bringing this into the same ballpark as a set of wonderful pictures illustrating the diversity and common aspects differentiating and common to children around the world as shown (and shown without any pretense of entering into the politics of international aid). If any viewer is moved to think of the plight of any of these children, as far as this exists with regard to the society and economy in which they live, then this is positive spin-off and should indeed be welcomed. In MY opinion, too many forms of aid are given without ever considering the situation of the people in the receiving countries, but with a misplaced wish in mind to help them become like "us" - not exactly a role model in many cases. I personally find Tina's images a refreshing introduction to and positive illustration of the diversity of the world. Your somewhat harsh, heavily worded and, IMO, misplaced criticism has absolutely nothing to do with them or their intended use. Best regards from Germany Douglas Philip Clarke wrote: > > Nothing rude about an opinion. > > photo.forrest at earthlink.net wrote: >> How about some manners, sir? >> Phil Forrest >> >> -----Original Message----- >> >> From: Philip Clarke <nod at bouncing.org> >> Subj: Re: [Leica] IMGS: Children of the World >> Date: Thu 16 Apr 2009 6:31 am >> Size: 2K >> To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> >> >> >> >> Tina Manley wrote: >> >>> At 10:29 PM 4/15/2009, you wrote: >>> >>> >>>> In the interests of balance, I expect to see poor USA street kids or >>>> some in a police cell or juvenile detention facility. Maybe you could >>>> tie in the global recession/ credit crunch theme in and have some >>>> American children in vests, after their parents lost their homes and >>>> their shirts. Mexican children being escorted back over the border. >>>> Venezuela and Cuba also appear to be missing as well as the UK. I'd >>>> lend >>>> you my children but their mother worked her way out of the Calcutta >>>> slums without charity and their disabled father gets no benefits or >>>> social support, so they're probably not suitable candidates. >>>> >>> What in the world does all of that mean? I photographed most of these >>> children while working on mission projects in developing countries. >>> I've also worked on mission projects here in the USA and have photos >>> of those, too, which I will include. For these particular talks, I'm >>> telling school children about how children all over the world have >>> more in common than outward appearances would lead you to believe. I >>> tell about the families I've stayed with and the people I've met in 53 >>> countries. I really don't understand what you're objecting to. >>> >>> Tina >>> >>> >> The perpetuation of the myth that only the USA (or indeed any "first or >> second" world country) should bring it's charity to the rest of the >> world. The USA should sort out it's own problems first, so for balance I >> expect to see identical photos taken in the West so that the children >> you're showing the pictures too, identify with the homeless people down >> the road as well as in a different country. India has a space program, >> China too (plus the greatest manufacturing ability in the world and >> they're commies), Taiwan has the greatest ability to manufacturer CNC'd >> and Kevlar based items, so instead of seeing a countries strengths the >> pictures highlight the unfortunate,. So if the unfortunate is to be >> relished in for the amusement of children, then the unfortunate side of >> the USA should be given exactly the same position. >> >> The only reason that these pictures are considered "special" is because >> they aren't taken at home so they don't encourage an ability to identify >> on an equal footing, they put down other nation's triumphs, and what is >> worse is that there going to be shown to the next generation. >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> --- message truncated --- >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >