Behind the picture
Some weeks ago, on Wednesday 3rd September,
the world became deeply moved by a
picture. It was not the usual photo one had
been used to watching in the media. It encompassed
a two-year-old infant and maybe due to this fact its effect was more shocking. Aylan Kurdi was his
name. Aylan Kurdi was supposed to be at his home, enjoying his early years,
playing games but instead, he was found lifeless lying on a shore. What happened
with this innocent toddler? What was so dramatic that ended up with
this boy paying with his life? So far, one tended to blame his parents and
charge them with the responsibility of not having assumed their role. But this was not actually the case. Not only was
the picture depicting a dead boy, but also a plight thousands of people were
facing.
There was history behind Aylan, a history which
was not well-known by people until the picture was brought out. At least, that happened to me. I knew nothing about immigration crisis far less about the implications of it. But that
day I woke up and, when I revised my Facebook account, the first thing I watched
was the picture of Aylan unfolding on a shore. I could not help but feel
sadness. Then, I realized the image was spreading all over the world and due to
this reason I decided to look for information. I watched this one-minute video
which succinctly explained the tragedy:
I learnt that owing to a civil war in Syria,
people have fled in search of a better life. Hundreds of thousands of people
have taken the risk of abandoning Syria to have a safe home. But many of them have
died trying. Aylan Kurdi was a famous case, but how many others there should
die for people raise awareness of the refugee crisis? Why did Canada reject
the application for the refugees to live there? They were ignored.
I deem Aylan Kurdi has become a symbol of human
absurdity. Differences among countries emerge, wars break out, people die and
the chain never ends. I think it is time to leave aside politic and economic
interests and think a little bit more about people. I know we cannot stop the
war, but at least we can make our own contribution day by day so that these things do
not happen again.
Hi Sole! your entry is really good! I think that you are right on mentioning the fact that many people started to knew about Syria and all the conflicts involved once they saw the news about Aylan Kurdi. Helplessness is what I feel whenever I think about this situation because I am one of those persons who did not know about Syria and the war. By uploading this picture on the social media, people became aware of the current problematic that Syrian have to face each day. Despite the fact that I do not like showing pictures of people suffering, I believe that this image reached every corner of the world considerably and people can learn about other countries´ reality.
ResponderEliminarOn the other hand, I agree with you because this image portrays, as you said, human absurdity since innocent people die because of religious and politics conflicts. Even worse, kids suffer the consequences of the war (as in the case of Aylan and other thousand children). Unfortunately, society has declined throughout the years and each day you prescence the absurdities and the corruption of some powerful individuals such as political and religious leaders.
Undoubtedly our contribution towards this situation could help those families to be accepted on other countries to leave at ease.
*to live at ease
ResponderEliminarSole, your entry is great! I think that we have felt similar when watching the picture and we also feel like meaningless pawns in someone else's game, but it's not true. Our actions can help change the world. Truth be told, war cannot stop from one day to the other, as you said, but our actions should be reflected upon at all times; we have to stop being so selfish so as to begin caring about other people. Who knows what could Aylan be doing right now if there wasn't a war in the first place? But other people's actions have led to his despairing fate. We will never know, but we can help prevent other senseless deaths.
ResponderEliminarI agree with you sole it is a horrifying situation. Civil war affects more than our eyes can see. There are terrible situations happening right now and we have no idea about them. And what is worse there is no simple solution to this problem.
ResponderEliminarYour entry is completely moving, Sole! I know in cases like this one cannot leave aside his profound feelings and always tends to blame the child's parents. However, I consider they are also victims of the powerful people who is dominating the continent nowadays.
ResponderEliminarThen, it is remarkable to say thay if we want to live in a peaceful world, we all need to cooperate with the countries that are suffering the vicissitudes of war. Canada is said to be the country with the best quality of life in America but... What about this decision of not allowing foreign people arriving in the country? Undoubtedly, if Canada had admitted Aylan and his family, they would have had the chance to begin a new life, far away from bombs and close to the kites he would have adored to fly in a typical Asian competition.
Your entry is very touching! I identify myself with you in the sense that i also found the picture of that toddler and the history behind that photo very heart-breaking. When I saw that picture for the first time on my facebook account, apart from scrolling it down as soon as i spotted it, I felt a pang of sorrow. I also knew nothing about Syrian immigrants and I also decided to search for information to only find that thousands of people died in their quest for better life. I also like your comment where you highlight that it is time to leave aside politic and economic interests and think a little bit more about people. That is true but it seems that the people in power are reluctant to do that. Many times, I wish to have the power to make a twist the Syrian immigrants dilemma.
ResponderEliminar