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Photo credit: Sebastiao SalgadoThe country of Sudan, located in Africa, has been the sight of constant war and bloodshed. Not against a foreign enemy or nation, but against itself. Reports say that the country has been fighting, off and on, in civil war since 1955 to the present date. This picture, taken in 1993, depicts a particular camp run by the Sudanese People's Liberation Front which claims to protect young men from being forced to serve in the Sudanese army. However, in reality, this camp is intended to train these young men to fight against the Sudanese government. Thus the vicious circle of hatred and death spins around and around.
Often, when wars are considered, a mental scene of grown men with dirtied faces is conjured. Rarely, if ever, do we imagine young boys being trained for the sole purpose of carrying on a conflict and battle which they didn't even start. What else is left for these young men? Perhaps they have nothing else. Without a family, your brothers in arms become the next best thing. However, the question must be asked- aren't we all brothers and sisters?
Works Cited:
Salgado, Sebastiao. Pamphlet. "Southern Sudan: A Population In Distress." Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture: New York, 2000. 11. Print.
Salgado, Sebastiao. Photograph. Migrations: Humanity in Transition. Aperture: New York, 2000. 163.
"History of the Civil War in Sudan." SPLM Chapter UK and Ireland. SPLM Chapter UK and Ireland, 17 June 2009. Web. 10 February 2010.
I can't even imagine living in a country that has been involved in civil war for over 50 years. Growing up, my childhood was carefree and full of fun. I never thought about things like war or fighting with anyone other than my siblings. It makes me sad to realize that these children will never have a life like that. Instead, they are manipulated and coerced into things that will continue to make them, their children, and their children's children miserable. Weekly, as I read about the children suffering in other countries, I am realizing how blessed I truly was to have the childhood I did. If only everyone could have the opportunity to be so carefree...
ReplyDeleteWill you raise some beautiful and necessary images in this post. Good work.
ReplyDeleteThe image of these boys going off to war makes me think of my friends and my brothers, and the dread I would feel at any of them having to march into such danger. It seems that the horrors of war, if they have to exist, should be reserved for men, who can handle the bloodshed and the tragedy. However, it is true, many wars throughout history and in the present day, are fought by young men, even boys. The sacrifice of these boys includes not only their time and livelihood, but also their innocence. We can only hope that, like the Stripling Warriors, they will be protected.
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