This Winter I have been taking a psychology class on human development. Basically we are just studying early childhood development in a multicultural setting. It's a very interesting class and so fitting for me at the moment. I really enjoy learning something and then putting it to practical use right away. For instance, we are currently focusing on language and positive, secure attachment for infants. I am especially excited about this as it is currently what I am working on with the 5 month old I am taking care of.
One issue that is constantly prevalent within our entire class is poverty. We all know that poverty is a huge issue and to advocate for solving this world-wide is a constant battle. But, it's been through this class where I've really been dumb-founded as to how crucial this issue is to children's development.
In one class a few weeks ago we ended up viewing and discussing a world famous photo. I had never seen or heard this story before this class and it was quite heartbreaking.
Kevin Carter was a famous photographer who started in sports photography and ended focusing on South African political strife. Needing a break from South Africa he went to Southern Sudan to photograph the civil war and famine he thought was overlooked. The photo shown below is of a starving sudanese toddler who was on her way to a feeding centre. The vulture is waiting for her to die.
Carter was known for his strict believf in photography to be an observer and not involved. My first thought when seeing this photo was why in the world didn't that guy pick that baby up and race her to the hospital... at that point who cares what your journalistic beliefs are. Yes, she is one of many, many children that are dying of starvation, but why not help one? Obviously Carter was deeply affected by what he saw in Sudan and South Africa; he quite possibly suffered from severe guilt from not being able to fix what he saw. He committed suicide shortly after taking the photo and receiving a Pulitzer Prize. It was mentioned in an article that the fate of the little girl is unknown, but Kevin Carter did chase the vulture away and the little girl continued her trek. If she did survive her prognosis isn't good. Suffering such extreme starvation at an early age will strongly affect her development.
When seeing this haunting photo I had many thoughts run through my head. Most of it centered around my choice for pursing a degree in education. What purpose will that fulfill in the long fun if so many people in the states and overseas are dying of poverty, or issues caused by poverty/malnutrition? I/we could be doing so much more... right? Why aren't we, and what does that look like? Am I selfish for spending money on getting a degree when I can be using that money to feed a few starving children?
After seeing a picture such as this, how can I not be moved... moved to action.
What are we doing?
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