VISUAL REVIEW: ASSIGNMENT # 4

A PORTRAIT REVIEW — HUMANS OF NEW YORK

I selected this image from Humans of New York’s “Invisible Wounds.”  The story depicted is compelling visually and from its writing.  From the photos alone, I couldn’t come to the fact that I was looking at a US Marine who served our country in Iraq and faced traumatic events.  I prefer peace to war as I don’t like to see anyone get hurt physically and/or emotionally.  I also believe in negotiations.  And I admire that US Marine who took decisions to keep harm away from his platoon.  He could have stayed in Cambridge, but he chose to participate in war.  He helped twenty-five US Marines survive, and that we all need to applaud him for.  The atrocities of war lead any rational person to say, “That’s not normal, that’s not normal.” Whether or not he is a victim of PTSD is a clinical manner.  When we go to war as a nation, we are all in it –physically putting our lives on the line, materially with tax money used to fuel the military, and socially by paying taxes. At the end of the day, it is our duty to heal our veterans’ invisible wounds.

The message from the photos is clearer after reading the writing.  To me, it speaks: “This face you are looking at fought a war.  I served as a US Marine.  I saw civil and military people getting killed and/or wounded, blood running, bombs exploding, platoon under fire, having to take orders, etc.  But I’m back to the US wearing my civil clothes.  I’m surrounded by people able to work, talk on a phone, and walk around in freedom.  That was then.  This is now.  I can’t forget what I did or saw, but life goes on.  Making good decisions matter in times of war or peace.  And we are never alone when we decide to go to war.  Whether directly or indirectly, we are all in it together.”

Just by looking at the first photo, I see a preppy male sitting on a bench with his hands crossed.  He is in a mixed neighborhood.  Others around him are moving about.  His eyes give me the look that he’s disappointed or irritated.  The look saying, “ What are you looking at?” His shoes are worn out.  Colorful large boots serve as planters at both end of the bench.  Across from him is a computer positioned next to a tree (which is unusual). 

In the second photo, his hands are more relaxed.  His look remains sad and pensive.  He’s sitting outside of a Cowboy store.  And Cowboy boots and outfit are as American as American gets. 

In the third photo, we see the right side of the street.  A female is walking by with her fingers on her phone.  He has his hands crossed again and his eyes remain sad.  I also see his reflection in the store’s window – as if to say that he’s reflecting on his life.

In the fourth photo, his face is closer.  His look is more like “I’m questioning something… And no, I’m not wrong.” 

Words and images do bring together one whole message. Seeing them or reading them separately may send different messages to a viewer or reader.

Please visit https://www.humansofnewyork.com/tagged/Invisible-Wounds#2 to see the photos.  They couldn’t be copied.  The story’s title is: “I had a good family.  I went to a private school.  I graduated from a great college.” (August 2016: New York City)