I see, little boy, you.
I see, little boy, the place you call home: Ivankovo, Croatia. 1994 (Salgado 8).
I see, little boy, that you were probably unwillingly involved in the Croatian War of Independence, fought from 1991-1995 (Wikipedia).
I see, little boy, that at this time, several Croation refugee camps were in railroad stock (Salgado 8), so you had nowhere else to turn.
I see, little boy, the way your light hair rests unkempt on your tiny head.
I see, little boy, your oversized clothing and how dirty it is.
I see, little boy, the train far off in the distance where you must return to when you're done with whatever adventure took you out to where you are seen now.
I see, little boy, how big, dark, and dreary the world you live in probably is to you and how much of it that you probably don't understand.
I see, little boy, how you and the rest of your fellow refugees have been forgotten, not anywhere near the top of the priority list. Maybe not even on it at all (Salgado 9).
I see, little boy, the shape of your face and your nose and your size and I see, little boy, the resemblance you have to another little boy in my own life today, who is very dear to me.
I see, little boy, a little more clearly the trials and hardships that you face.
I see, little boy, that you and so many others deserve more, and that you want someone to help.
I see, little boy, that that someone needs to be me.
References:
Salgado, Sebastiao. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. 1994. Photograph. New York: Aperture Foundation, Inc., 2000. P. 116-117.
Salgado, Sebastiao. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Pamphlet. New York: Aperture Foundation, Inc., 2000. P. 8-9. Print.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatian_War_of_Independence
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatian_War_of_Independence
Beautifully written post. I love your attention to detail as you describe the boy. It promotes a sense of tangibility while also allowing the reader to identify more profoundly with the child (and by extension refugees.) I also love how you brought in a personal connection (“the resemblance you have to another little boy…”) Though we can only infer who this boy is, this line causes readers to merge their own life with that of the displaced. They automatically ponder what it would be like to be in or have someone they love in a situation like the refugees which opens the door for greater empathy and compassion. And these two things are SO important when trying to raise awareness. If people don’t care, people won’t do anything and nothing will change. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLauren! This was such a beautiful read. You gave Salgado's photograph breath, a life that I had not imagined before. I loved the description and imagery of the little boy. Your perspective made me really ponder the reality of refugee's situations. You have inspired me to do something to change the problems of the world! It is so overwhelming sometimes, but I have been too blessed to NOT do anything at all! Thank you for your beautiful words.
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