Response Essay #1

I think that sometimes disturbing images are necessary to convey a message that can sometimes be otherwise lost. For example, in the article Readers Balance Compassion with Privacy, they have a picture of a wounded American soldier who later dies. The image itself is disturbing for a number of reasons. First of all, the image shows the violence of war and it shows an American soldier wounded, which is always something that hits close to home. The picture isn't taken from a distance, so you can see the faces of these soldiers which makes the picture more personal. Yes, the image is disturbing, but it also sends a message that isn't conveyed as powerfully through words. Seeing the image shows the reader the effects of war, the violence of war, and the heroes of war. Is freedom really free?
I do think that there are boundries when it comes to disturbing images, though. I know that, personally, anything that shows violence against children or animals or any type of extreme violence is always something that seems to cross the line for me, but it always depends on the context of the picture, and the message that the publication is trying to convey. I think that people should be exposed to some images that could be considered disturbing and that make the person uncomfortable. I know that when I look at an image that is disturbing, it makes me uncomfortable, but it also makes me aware of the situation. I have to ask myself "Why does this picture disturb me? Why am I uncomfortable looking at this picture?" When looking at a picture of a starving child, I become uncomfortable, but I also become aware that, yes there are people all over the world suffering from poverty and hunger, while I am not.
I would agree that not being able to face reality is a pretty true statement about society today. Many people fail to recognize major issues outside of their world because they are often not exposed to it. How many people are aware of the politics of other countries? Not many, until these politics effect their environment or their government.
Censoring images isn't always a bad thing. I don't think that the news should have to censor images, but they should be aware of the image they are showing, the message and purpose of showing the message, and if it is appropriate. Obviously you won't be showing disturbing images on a morning news show right before Sunday morning cartoons run, but maybe you would show them on FOX news or CNN. It is a matter of whether the image is appropriate and the message and purpose of the image.