This morning there were five images of starving Africans in my Facebook news feed, and it really bugged me.
I realize that the people who shared these images had the best intentions. I know they’re trying to put things in perspective. I even agree with a lot of the sentiment. This isn’t a personal attack on any of my friends.
I just don’t like it when people are used to further a political agenda. It dehumanizes them. It exploits them. And it’s irresponsible, because such photos often misrepresent the entirety of the population. Africa is not all distended bellies and children covered in flies.
Most importantly, it does nothing to help the very complex issue of hunger in developing countries. Why not use a different kind of image to achieve the same goal and serve that community? Why not show a farmer who achieved success thanks to a microloan? Why not depict a family getting fed? (Along those lines, when’s the last time you saw a photo of a successful African, besides a dictator or Charlize Theron?)
I’d like to think images of suffering aren’t the only things that motivate us to help others.
Also, it still nags at me, this idea of sharing an image of someone because it makes you feel better about your own life. It’s like saying, “At least I’m not THAT guy.” It’s misery porn.
These photos also perpetuate the myths that all Africans are starving, all poor people are black, and all poor people are miserable. And that’s simply not the case.
Just as a gentle reminder, there’s a lot of happiness out there in this world.
There’s a lot of beauty.
And there’s a whole lotta fun.
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