11 Comments
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BKH's avatar

“The victim who is able to articulate the situation of the victim has ceased to be a victim: he or she has become a threat.”

James Baldwin - The Devil Finds Work

Reflecting History's avatar

Definitely a relevant idea in the context of Congolese and African nationalist movements that emerged during this period. Thanks for reading!

James Stribling's avatar

What this is saying is that the photographer should intervene. Right?

James Stribling's avatar

I learned about this through one of the most fascinating and disturbing books I've ever read, "King Leopold's Ghost", by Adam Hochschild. Incredible story.

Reflecting History's avatar

Agreed! It’s an awesome book and should be mandatory reading.

Melissa Redman's avatar

Yep,it figures.This happened to far too many African nations and their people.Just like it happened to the Tribal Nations in the Americas.History erased, colonists take over and take everything worth $$$,and the natives suffer.Lather,rinse,repeat.Sadly and tragically.

Maribel Maldonado's avatar

Thank you for this post. I just finished a very beautiful novel by Barbara Kingsolver, “The Poisonwood Bible” which gently introduces this topic. I strongly recommend it as a starting point. Look forward to your podcasts.

Reflecting History's avatar

Thanks for the kind words and the recommendation. I will definitely check that book out, seems right up my alley. She wrote the foreword to the edition of King Leopold’s Ghost that I read, it was very well done. Thanks!