In Memoriam, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

Yesterday Pakistan, today Kenya, tomorrow Iran, next week..........? Wherever women emerge as potential political leaders in countries where roles may still be largely prescribed by men one witnesses levels of persistence, fortitude and courage that are inspiring. It doesn't mean neccessarily that these women are the best politicians or the best able to run a country - how after centuries of being held in place do you learn the knowledge and skills overnight - but for the strength of leadership and determination to effect change and learn what is neccessary they cannot be beaten. I know women in India who have been beaten, raped and had their houses burnt down around them for taking a leadership stance but I also know others who have led with the respect and protection of the men and other women around them after some struggle - I have known more courage than I've met in any man in these circumstances - peaceful non-violent resistance and determination.

This little girl symbolises this for me today - taking her time and space to be someone in the world - to carve out her own space against the predominance of the male politic.

What was yesterday a tragedy for Pakistan is another tragedy for democracy, women and all of us in this world at some level........but beyond the tragic there is still determination and the education of men in one way and women in another to look forward to.

luisafonso, broglia, jhm, kerim, bombilla, scobert has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

adelune (0) 2007-12-28 5:29

A very interesting picture! Well done! I like this so much! TFS a so good shot Kev! Best regards! alain

jhm (211734) 2007-12-28 6:00

Hello Kev,

A very international photographer with all different countries, but than you have a lot choice.
An small place for this young girl but very well for to read a book, and the smile on the face.
Nice composition and real colours too.
Thanks for sharing.

Healthy 2008.
John.

bombilla (3406) 2007-12-28 9:31

Carving out her own space, yes. But a prisoner, too, behind bars. Incarcerated by circumstances that originate . . . where? From fanatical religions? Or even from not-so-fanatical religions? From fear? From hatred born of fear? Or perhaps even from some eternal expression of "nature" and the reaction to a perceived subversion of the order of things? Who knows? So much violence against women. In some ways, it's always violence against women. Even when men are fighting men on the battlefield, it's the women who suffer (and the children) long and hard. It's so constant and so unavoidable, we must wonder if there is some logic to it. A logic that defies our own limited capacities to reason. If we are so opposed to it, why is this brutal aspect of our existence so persistent? Well, there she is, on top of the men. They are two-dimensional, flat figures, humans turned into objects. She is real. Let's hope she stays that way. Best, -Hugh

scobert (5355) 2007-12-28 9:45

Hello Kev,
Your photo and your notes pretty much says it all. I don't know why Benazir Bhutto returned to the political arena. I would have said "the hell with you all". She was a great woman with intelligence, grace and wisdom. Thugs from terrorists to military bullies (Myanmar in particular) throughout the world are dominating the scene right now. It is a sad commentary for the male sex. My wife and I commented after learning about Bhutto's tragic assasination, about how similiar the world situation is to the period just before WWI. One assasination could set the tinderbox aflame. You have a powerful image with great symbolism.
Stan

CaptainJack (0) 2007-12-28 11:01

Hello Kev,

A very fitting capture, so in tune with the week's tragedy in Pakistan and your thoughtful note. The partially open sliding door to me symbolises the growing hopes of freedom from the oppression of women in politics that you describe, while the protective barrier remains to hold them in "place". The trail of the blanket cascading down from the balcony, perhaps a Rapunzel-like image of her possible method of escape...

aralda (1240) 2007-12-28 12:46

Hi Kev,
Great comment. Hugh also wrote some thoughts worth considering, and he made the nice observation that the woman who is carvinng out her own space does so behind bars. Great message. Let's hope for a better world.
All my best wishes for 2008,
Raluca

bantonbuju (51815) 2008-01-02 22:11

whatever i'd write as a critique to this photo - it would humiliate the message...therefore let me just say that i couldn't agree more with everything i wrote in the note...
we'll win in the end!
tc, j.