A Look Back to Last Year

               Every year the infamous Time Magazine releases its top photos of the year, these photos are also listed on their website with the titles, photographers, and a short synopsis of the inner workings of the photos. Some years the photos are more cheerful than others but others are ridden with war and despair, often this clouds the judgement of others to cloud the entire year in despair despite periods of contempt. Occasional, you catch a glimpse of a time with both a negative side and a brighter aspect as well. One such picture, Turkey’s Coup by Stringer; was featured in this year’s article. Intended not just for the rebellious people of Istanbul or the people of Turkey who felt abandoned by their government and surrounding countries, but for the global population; this piece touched base on the struggle of some European countries who wish to help the adjacent Asian populations.

               Under the high sun, soldiers who once hoped to help their people and provide a more just life for them; are beaten by civilians. With no indicative markings of country, you cannot distinguish the soldiers’ alliance nor that of the abusers. This also makes it rather difficult to see who is truly the victim. Through the glare, it is quite noticeable that these soldiers are huddled and unarmed as they shield their faces with dirtied arms and hands. The people carrying whips and batons range from those of hard working third class samaritans to those of people who spend days working minimal wage and waste their nights away in bars. You immediately feel remorse for the soldiers as you question what could have angered the others so deeply. After a while though, especially for Americans; a connection to our own actions becomes apparent. The police brutality and brutality TOWARDS police becomes very apparent. In a modern depth, we can influentially decide that maybe the people have felt betrayed by these soldiers but is it really their fault? Are the actions their own, who is to say they were not told by a higher authority that they must complete a certain task or else be punished with a cruelty far worse than being beaten with whips?

               They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes those who wish to speak their own words have not the voice to do so, thus photographers help spread their stories and leave it for us to judge. We form conclusions of our own from these colorful, or lackluster for that matter; illustrations of events around the world. Nevertheless, actions are not always our own, stories we have not lived are not ours to tell.