3. Exercise 3.2

This image really upsets me because of Aung Sang Suu Kyi’s treatment of these people. This image does not condemn her but instead becomes voyeuristic. It is such an undignified image of someone’s last resting place. Imagine if this was your mother or your sister. Would you have allowed this image? I think not.

Why are we not shouting from the rooftops about these people who are stateless while Suu Kyi cosies up to her erstwhile enemies.

This image from South Sudan was in 2014 when it was experiencing the worst famine in decades. I ask myself what does the above image contribute to the relief of the suffering of these children. Did the photographer ask the child to look sorrowful. I have no idea but when I see images like this of starving African children I know it makes me really angry. How many of us react by not buying Shell petrol which has/and is being syphoned out of Africa every day. How many of us buy Nestle products without a second thought when this society sent in milk powder to African countries to wean mothers off breastfeeding when this was the only way to protect their children in unhygienic conditions. Nestle then demanded repayment of ‘debt’ from these poorest of the poor countries.

The above photo might make some people contribute a few pennies to a ‘good’ African cause. Do we do the research to see who exactly are the ‘goodies’ and who the ‘baddies’ in Africa. As an ex development worker, in Africa, I think we need to stop massaging our conscience by giving money to ‘good causes’ and become proactive where it will hurt, by boycotting the products of the societies that are raping Africa os its resources.