Typical, I thought when I saw this picture … I dismissed the car's occupants with my usual, "what can you expect, they're Lebanese."
But I found myself eating humble pie when I read further to discover that they actually live in the neighborhood, they haven't come to stare at the local residents, their circumstances are not defined by their “look”, they’ve actually made important contributions to the relief work and I am a damn racist.
Its much easier to slot people into stereotypes – one glance and I know what I'm up against. I don’t have to think, I don’t have to make any effort and I am usually right (or so I think). I dont come across as a typical racist, but then again, there really isnt anything typical, is there?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
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you see, this picture is taken by a stereotypical photographer, and got a prize for actually being a stereotypical person!
i am really losing faith in academies and so called "professional" institutions. Who makes them? exotica!
I don’t know if that was the photographer's intent, Sham. After all, he is a photographer, and photos can only capture a split second of a scene. The photographer may or may not have understood the context of that picture, but it is the viewers who make up their mind about what to see. I saw pretentious people in a posh car pinching their nose at the bad smell in a run-down area and taking photos of the “uncivilized” locals.
Institutions are not innocent of bias, but in this case, I jumped to all the wrong conclusions without any help from anyone.
Lujayn,
Apart from the political context, this photo is quite artistic (IMHO)...
At the first glance, I thought it was taken in New Orleans or the Biloxi somewhere after hurricane Catrina took place....would that also be a 'stereotype'? :)
Lujayn
My original reaction to the picture when I saw it for the first time on Arima's Blog hasn't changed.
It's a very sad picture. Reading all the details on BBC about the car occupants and their benovelent intentions and contributions didn't matter to me at all.
I'm not a racist but it's a sad picture anyway.
Well Dubai Jazz, I dont know about you, but I tend to judge people that look like "that" in a certain way, whether they are Lebanese or whatever. In that particular context, the judgement was amplified.
Abu Fares, I am off to find Arima's blog now to see your reaction
Lujayn, I believe the picture shows the complexity of our Middle East. It is not academic view, but it is the most entertaining, stereotypical view as you stated. I guess even the word racism should not apply on your case, it is just a first reaction, cheer up :)
I had a post about this picture about a month ago, my reaction was the following, Israel destroyed Lebanon, and American photographer won a prize for picturing our suffer, that was the irony that concerned me. We are just viewers to our misery.
keep up the good work, I am loving your blog..
salaam
maybe this photo was more innocent than the obvious first impression.. however if you were reading the reaction on some of the Lebanese bloggers during and after the war, you will find that there were many attitudes and reactions that matched the first impression of this photo..
however, I find it curious that BBC went out of their way to clear the misunderstood image of those Lebanese riders (and the people in general).. I couldn't believe that they actually got them together again to interview them, tell their stories and almost beg people to believe that this photo is misunderstood... makes you wonder why such effort is put into some (very) minor fractal of a greater tragedy, while no similar effort is directed at Palestinian youth or Syrian youngsters.. don't you think?
My take on this photo was purely personal. I reacted to it in a narrow-minded way, based on judgments I’ve made about a certain look or character or nationality. I think that requires some self-examination.
Dancing Solo, would it have made a difference if the photographer had been Lebanese? The photographer had nothing to do with anyone’s suffering and he took a great shot. Good for him. As for us being viewers of our own misery, that’s where I agree with you. Maybe we should take up mass photography? Can you imagine the prizes we would win? :)
Omar, I don’t know if the BBC has any ulterior motives for going in-depth into this story. Good story, human dimension, plenty of attention, why not? Besides, the Lebanese are just more media savvy and accessible. I’m a regular BBC reader, and I do see stories of Palestinian and Iraqi youth, personal stories, aspirations, etc. But in the end, how long can you keep asking the same people their take on the same issues? After a while it feels like senseless voyeurism if nothing changes. You need spice, and the Lebanese are certainly spicy. Thats a compliment, by the way. :))
Hello, Lujayn!
I am a friend of Dubai Jazz and that is how I found your blog, which I very much enjoy reading. :)
This will make you feel much better about your reaction to the photo. I showed it to a Lebanese guy I know, who would fit the stereotype. His reaction to the photo was not one of sympathy for the Lebanese who were suffering due to the destruction of their homes, the loss of lives, or the cruelty of the corrupt Israelis. Instead, his reaction was, "Look at all the hot Lebanese chicks!"
Sometimes people are stereotyped because of things that they do to create those expectations of them, not because of any traits that you have chosen to project on them.
Don't be too hard on yourself. I don't think you are a racist. I just think you have based your opinion on your experiences with the Lebanese. They can be rather self-absorbed, from what I have seen. LOL
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