I first heard about the plight of Afghan women from Mavis Leno. She appeared on her husbands late night show in the late 1990s to explain her resolve to help these women, who were just stripped of all their rights. It seemed so unfathomable to me. Since that time I have tried to keep up on the news, search out ways to lend at least a voice to the cause of these women. Fast forward to today as I am trying even harder to learn about their culture, and languages, and the wars, so that I may better help refugees who have come to this country. This includes men and women I am trying to help and whose children I read with and tutor, who now have a piece of my heart. I want to understand them better and I certainly don’t want to inadvertently insult them. They are such a peaceful and humble people.
I love photography. I used to take so many more pictures. It was pure joy for me. Unfortunately the obstacles of storage, what to do with it all, etc pushed me to give photography up, other than on my phone. I miss it. I miss the pictures I could take. I need to rectify that.
Both these subjects, and the fact that I LOVE to read about strong, smart , independent women, are what led me to my current book I just finished.
It’s What I Do A Photographers Life of Love and War by Lynsey Addario.
This book was just amazing. You felt like you were friends with the writer. The writing style is very good. She pulls you right into her world. She is so open in the telling of her unbelievable life. Lynsey’s descriptions of being in Afghanistan have been so very helpful to me. Her experiences of the countries she was in, and the wars she was witness to, all told in such a way that you feel you are there with her in the moment. It is a good legacy and history that she has left behind in this book for us all.
I will never again take for granted a picture I am looking at, knowing what the photographer and/or journalist went through to get the story out to me. So that we can all bear witness. It is just extraordinary.
In a time where I personally believe journalist and photographers are going to be more necessary than ever, this was a good reminder of all they do. Support journalism. Buy a newspaper, purchase a National Geographic. Pay attention to the photos, the photographer is trying to speak to us. Bear witness. READ THIS BOOK.
Peace.
