Global to Local Narratives Exhibit

The images from this exhibit are from award winning Palestinian photojournalists Khalil Hamra and Eman Mohammed. Hamra and Mohammed’s work document the events in the Gaza Strip during Operation Cast Lead, the 23-day Israeli military attacks launched on December 27, 2008 and the continuing 1000-day blockade. As the exhibit curator, I attempt to weave a narrative of the tragic realities of daily life under siege and ongoing violence in Gaza through these photographs, and qualitative and quantitative research findings. I have always been amazed and inspired by the resilience and healing capacity of Palestinians in Gaza, and thus, I’ve selected photographs that portray their steadfastness and aspiration for freedom. Khalil’s work depicts more of the ravaged Gaza and yearning for freedom; Eman’s work captures the resilience and determination of people to carry on with their lives amidst destruction in the aftermath of war, ongoing violence, and siege.

The photo exhibit is accompanied by educational panels on the Gaza Strip and the mental health effects of war and siege on civilians, including journalists and medical teams. In the panels, I discuss the importance of “framing” war and trauma in journalism. I also shed light on the potential benefits of using the public health model in reporting news as proposed by the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. Khalil

Hamr’s photographs are on display on the 2^nd floor, Eman Mohammed’s photographs are on the 3^rd floor, the accompanying educational panels and other exhibits are on the main floor of the library and lobby.

The Photojournalists from Gaza

Khalil Hamra

"The Way I See It" by Khalil Hamra

Eman Mohammed

"The Way I See It" by Eman Mohammed

Please share with us your thoughts on "The Way I See It." Thank you.

5/3/2010 5:47:37 PM - 003030680393
Thank you for these photographs. The context is there for all to see, these are the victims of political and military forces beyond their control. The Israelis are funded by the US with millions and millions of dollars ( and in violation of international law) to pursue their ruthless policies. Without our money, no war on the Palestinians. Yes the Israeli had a few hundred rockets fired at them, the Palestinians have had thousands and thousands and thousands, with many many more children killed, men imprisoned, homes destroyed. The Israelis are grabbing the land and water of the Palestinians, perpetrating checkpoints that make their towns open prisons. Palestinians have no choice but to try to keep on resisting in whatever way they can. Of course the few rockets they manage to fire are entirely wrong, but they are trapped. How would you behave if you were trapped?.

4/23/2010 12:08:25 AM - 003029605029
Sad. War is always horrific. But there is absolutely no context. No pictures of the Israelis who put up with over 8,000 Qassam missiles intentionally fired into civilian towns in Israel proper for over nine years before Israel finally responded in force. No pictures of cowering Israeli children or of the wounded Israeli children who were in the schools and daycare centers hit by missiles. No mention of the second intifada with over 1,200 Israeli civilians intentionally targeted and killed by suicide bombers.

If I removed all context from World War II, I could show the horrific consequences of the Nazi aggression on German civilians when the Allies bombed their cities from the air. Millions of German civilians died. Almost no American civilians died. Did that make the Nazis right? Of course not. Context is essential and there is no context shown here.

Yes, it's horrific whenever there is a war and, God willing, one day there will be no more war and no more terrorism and innocent people will no longer be the unfortunate victims.

Global to Local Narratives Exhibit - Photojournalism

The Way I See It