Can Photograph's Change the World?

Photographer: unknown

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Photo by Gloria Clark
Source: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/blog/southern-and-jewish/files/2014/09/9-11-skyline-night.jpg

September 11, 2001 was the day the world witnessed a tragedy.  On a Tuesday morning, terrorists hijacked American Airlines flight 11, along with the 87 American passengers on board. Around 8:45 a.m the plane was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City in an act of terrorism. America was under attack, and this was just the beginning.

I remember sitting at my desk at school, I was in third grade, and had no idea that I was about to witness history.  Images were flashing up on the television that my teacher, Mrs. Allan turned on.  And slowly I watched as tears streamed down her face.  “My son is in there,” she said.

Being eight years old, I guess I didn’t really understand what happened until I actually saw it.  I remember very clearly almost every television that lit up in the school that day, were all flooded with images of smoke, fire and devastation.  There wasn’t much to explain, the images spoke for themselves. 

Now almost fifteen years later, the attack of 9/11 is being studied and printed in history books.  I can’t really explain what terrorism is without being able to show it.  These images have changed our world forever and have greatly impacted our society entirely.  Not only has this event shaped how our country reacts to war on terrorism but also how we continue to remember the heroism, bravery and gut wrenching emotional devastation witnessed that day.

So maybe, not necessarily is it always the pictures that can change the world, but the emotional reaction that is provoked. “The pictures themselves don’t change the world, but we are also aware that since the beginning of photography, images have provoked reactions in people and those reactions have caused change to happen.” Said Jonathan Klein.

Since that faithful day on September 11, 2001 we have witnessed a great change in the way we go about everyday activities, and the way we remember our past as a country, bound together by how we appreciate our history today.  Through various research (click here) it is evident that the government has censored photographs that were released, trying to cover the revolting truth behind the devastating heart ache. The truth of our history, should never be shadowed by an uncertain reality. 

"Journalism has been forever changed -- I'd argue for the better -- thanks to the fact that people can interact with media organizations and share their opinions, personal stories, and photos and videos of news as it happens."  Said Katie Hawkins-Garr.

 Photo by David Surowiecki

Photo by Richard Drew

“Documentation and dissemination is helping professional and citizen journalists alike bring more clarity to events.” Said Dan Gillmore of The Guardian. 

The image below was the photograph that Mrs. Allan hung in front of her classroom, and it stayed there until her retirement two years ago.  Maybe because it was personal, or maybe it symbolized more than that, but it made a statement that this historical devastation changed everyone's life that day.  This picture provoked a sense of emotional turmoil, and it also declared the day our country went to war on terrorism.  Pictures do not necessarily change the world, but they do promote change throughout our country and provoke remembrance and commemoration among those who appreciate it.  We will always remember this day; I will always remember this day just as well as I will always remember this picture.  And this day will always be remembered in history as the day America not only lost over 3,000 people, but it was the first day of a very long, strenuous war against those who have threatened our country.

Photo by Thomas E. Franklin
Image source: http://www.worldsfamousphotos.com/tag/911/

“These are the Images that show uncompromising crucial issues, images that transcend borders and religion.  Images that provoke us to step up and do something…in other words, act.” Finalized Jonathan Klein.