Lost Chldren

Last weekend i attended a lecture by an African American peace journalist whose research in the recruitment of young soldiers made a trembling impact on my heart. I think the image above represents the material stipulated in the lecture better than any word attempted to describe it. The African boy who is holding an Ak-47 and who is clearly in mental rage, points his weapon on the camera man. His facial anguish is somewhat contradicted by the teddy-bear backpack hanging from his back. It is a sad photograph for it forces me to think of a childhood lost to anger and violence. The purpose of joy forfeited and the future unclear. Looking at this image i feel intense emotions of violence that surmount my hearts core. What does this image represent? What is going on? In itself it is a dilemma. Two contrary polarities fixated into one representation. Joy and fear, clarity and confusion, maturity and childhood. Maybe this image serves as a call for understanding? For me personally it is designed to connect with my inner world. To remember my childhood, relate to it, and draw conclusions of comparison with this forlorn boy. Doesn't he deserve happiness? That teddy bear book bag should hold books and not bullets.
As to its rhetoric purpose i believe it is designed to evoke remorse and sympathy. If you look in the background of the image you can see that the surrounding world operates as though nothing is proceeding in the foreground. It is as though the people are accustomed with teddy-bear-Ak47 kids running around and shooting journalists. I think it is designed for us to reflect in retrospect on what we have done (give weapons, or contribute to havoc) and what we should do ( help out those in need, reform) by connecting the image of innocence and childhood with the forces of fear and violence.

Valera Chekmazov