Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 68 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
Exclusive to OpEd News:
Life Arts    H4'ed 8/4/14

Gazing on Gaza

By       (Page 1 of 2 pages)   11 comments, In Series: Dennis Kucinich
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Meryl Ann Butler
Become a Fan
  (81 fans)


(Image by Simon Farr, for The Guardian. Used with permission.)   Details   DMCA


This sobering image from The Guardian, a perfect example of an illustration being worth a thousand words, is by well-known, UK-based political cartoonist Simon Farr.

In describing it, a Guardian blog notes, "hemmed in by barbed wire and brick walls as the bombs rain down, today's Guardian cartoon by Simon Farr illustrates the horror of life inside the Gaza Strip."

Former US Congressman Dennis Kucinich commented on it, also, saying:
"This image best describes what is happening in Gaza. Gaza is the world's largest open-air prison. Even calling the action against Palestinians in Gaza a war seems lacking in description. A war implies some equality in combat. What is happening in Gaza is a massacre by one of the world's most powerful armies, abetted by the silence of Western nations."

It's a poignantly, perfectly-timed illustration for this moment. Which is why it was surprising to discover that it was published, along with the blog mention above, on Dec. 31, 2008.

And not much has changed.

When I asked Simon Farr for his perspective, he said, "I am greatly saddened that the Israeli state continues to think that murdering women and children will weaken the resolve of the Palestinian people to resist oppression.
The opposite is true."


(Image by Art by Mazen Kerbaj who released it into the public domain)   Details   DMCA


The 2008 Guardian blog also mentioned Mazen Kerbaj's arresting illustration, posted above and which carries a notation that it is "COPYRIGHTLESS. You are strongly encouraged to post it, print it, stick it on the walls of your city, and share it by any means with the biggest number of people you may know. please do mention/tag/link the author and/or his blog when it is possible."

An image can often offer a deeper sense of understanding than words can convey. And words that paint a visual image by using comparison or contrast are almost as effective as an actual image. For instance, Dennis Kucinich somberly notes that

"Gaza is experiencing the equivalent of three-and-a-half 9-11s EVERY DAY."



If this seems exaggerated, think again. He's done the math:

* The US has a population of 318 million. Gaza has a population of 1.8 million.
* The United States is 176 times the size of Gaza
* 1442 Palestinians have died in the 24 day siege of Gaza - Proportionate to 253,792 Americans
* On September 11, 2001, 2,977 innocent people lost their lives in the US
* Gaza is now experiencing the equivalent of three-and-a-half 9-11s EVERY DAY.

Dennis Kucinich
Dennis Kucinich
(Image by Dennis Kucinich)
  Details   DMCA


Kucinich notes:

We must distinguish between governments and the people who are governed.

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Must Read 6   Well Said 6   Valuable 5  
Rate It | View Ratings

Meryl Ann Butler Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Meryl Ann Butler is an artist, author, educator and OpedNews Managing Editor who has been actively engaged in utilizing the arts as stepping-stones toward joy-filled wellbeing since she was a hippie. She began writing for OpEdNews in Feb, 2004. She became a Senior Editor in August 2012 and Managing Editor in January, (more...)
 

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

CEO Ridiculed for Raising Minimum Wage to $70K Has the Last Laugh

The Bizarre Theft of Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski's Miracle Cancer Cure

Mysterious Bayou Sinkhole Continues to Cave In: Radiation, Hydrocarbons Detected

Tips for Avoiding Coronavirus

Relentless Bayou Corne Sinkhole Nearly 30 Times Original Size (UPDATED with Cave-In Video)

Sex, Love, and Jesus: A Few Surprises in the Easter Basket

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend