Faces of War

We paint someone with a flag, culture, or ideology and it suddenly becomes much easier to seek their destruction.

With war becoming more likely with each passing day, with all of the statements, speeches, and threats being made, I think we need to remember the terrible cost of war. These days, it seems easy to forget that war, no matter how justified it might be politically, economically, or morally, is still a very, very bad thing.

These photos are very disturbing (viewer discretion is advised) and sobering, but necessary. We need to remember and realize the consequences of our military actions. I’ve heard too many ignorant, bloodthirsty comments (some made by people that I know and love) concerning this whole situation, and that bothers me.

We paint someone with a flag, culture, or ideology — while often condemning them for enagaging in similar behavior towards us — and it suddenly becomes much easier to seek their destruction. Nothing a political party, family member, or religious leader can say will ever convince me that this is a good thing.

I’ll shut up now and let the photographer, Peter Turnley, speak for himself

The photographs that I made do not, in themselves, represent any personal political judgment or point of view with respect to the politics and the right or wrong of the first Gulf War. What they do represent is a part of a more accurate picture of what really does happen in war. I feel it is important and that citizens have the right to see these images. This is not to communicate my point of view, but so viewers as citizens can be offered a better opportunity to consider the whole picture and consequences of that war and any war… War is at best a necessary evil, and I am certain that anyone that feels differently has never experienced or been in it. I have always hoped that true images of conflict give one the opportunity to witness and reflect more fully on the full realities of war.

(Thanks to the might K10K for the link.)

Enjoy reading Opus? Want to support my writing? Become a subscriber for just $5/month or $50/year.
Subscribe Today
Return to the Opus homepage