The 6 Noble Truths
By: Colin Gamez
In light of recent developments in the news, I abruptly changed my photographic theme to something a little more meaningful to me. This change came as a direct response to the death of Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden. The necessary apprehension of this war criminal (ultimately leading to his death) came as a shock to me; however an even bigger shock came about from the response that Americans showed in their celebrations across the nation. Primarily as a creative writing major, I wrote an essay elaborating my feelings on the subject which I will also post in my blog. But with this photography project coming up, I took it upon myself to dive even farther and explore the subject.
The war may be present in our minds, however in our daily lives I feel it is very hard for us to conceptualize. It is even harder to photograph from our section of the world here at the In this series I wanted to bring up ideas of right and wrong; good vs. evil. They aren’t as black and white as we make them out to be. Everyone’s perspective will be different and should not be discarded. This photographic series, I will bring up the topics of 6 Noble Truths which every human I feel tries to replicate, uphold, and value. I will associate everyday pictures I took around campus for reflection on each topic. Ironic and sometimes simple dichotomies can be found in every image to portray the gray areas in between them where our morals are defined. Right and wrong is not so easily labeled if you take the time to apply all the contexts of the situation. After every photograph, it may be necessary to ask yourself "Is this right?" In some contexts, the answer may be yes; in others probably not. Yet, through a moral inventory of yourself, perhaps a better understanding can be determined of how you stand in relation to the 6 Noble Truths.
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| Peace. |
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| Truth. |
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| Freedom. |
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| Beauty. |
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| Justice. |
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| Love. |
Peace.
Though probably the weakest photograph in the series, the concept orginated from spending an afternoon in traffic. Traffic is when I find myself not at peace, yet I find peace in my religion. The contrast often has me wondering where the line should be drawn. Questions arise on if should I be merciful and let the person merge while talking on their cell phone or should I let their actions anger me. The slightest offset in the balance of inner peace can change the outcome of the whole day.
Truth.
I generally do not consider myself a politcal person however bumper stickers have always put me on edge. The truths that one person believes often are displayed in a short witty quip to allow the world to know where they stand on an issue. These statements generally are not as revealing considering they are only a few worlds long and do not explore all sides of the argument. A tool for propaganda, they spread more doubt than they do truth.
Freedom.
The weekend often comes as a much deserved escape for working people worldwide. What always interested me is that many choose to demonstrate this freedom by enslaving themselves to alcohol. The same alcohol that millions worldwide suffer serious addictions to. An inability to operate without a social lubricant really brings up the question how free we truly are.
Beauty.
The age old question of what beauty is defies me. It seems to be continually defined by society and their perceptions. Having a friend pose with a Cosmopolitan magazine brings up the question of who is defining who in my mind. Does the perceptions define her, or does she define those perceptions? Which is the more noble of the two?
Justice.
The heart of my theme was inspired from analyzing the picture we saw earlier in the semester concerning national pride in light of the atomic bomb. The U.S. was overcome by pride in defeating the oposing Japaneese forgetting the implications of what they were seeing. Jubilant and Death are two themes I believe should never be combined in any situation. But then again perhaps by the death of one, many lives can be saved. Does that merit celebration?
*for further insight please see the essay Osama Bin Laden Dead:
Love.
Partying being a very real part of college life often questions the thought of love for me. Love is ultimately respect. This picture really doesn't bring that to mind for me. Are acts similar to these really harmless or are they destroying love in our lives?
Osama Bin Laden Dead: U.S.
By Colin Gamez.
Buying Oreo cookies and a gallon of milk at a local gas station, I was quite taken aback when the man on register stated “Wow… he’s finally dead.” It was only when I turned around that I understood what it was he was talking about. Big bold letters ran across the TV screen reading “OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED.” I didn’t know what to feel. It didn’t really even register until I got back to my apartment. I turned on my computer and searched hungrily for more information. I found similar headlines, “BIN LADEN DEAD.” Slightly below them I found smaller, but equally bludgeoning statements: “U.S.
Now I admit within the short period of time that from the time I walked from my car to my apartment door, I felt a sense of relief. My father served 20 years in the Air Force; my brother is currently active duty scheduled to return to Afghanistan Egypt U.S.
My initial relief stemmed from the idea that I won’t have to turn on the news for much longer and hear about a few more soldiers who just gave their lives. That maybe my brother like so many other brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons might be able to spend next Christmas home again. My relief did not in any way, shape, or form originate from the fact that a man has died today. My disgust in people did based on their reactions to it. Rejoicing in the streets, banners bearing the “good news”, children on top of shoulders singing songs like “We are the champions.” Appalling. The parties in bars and frat houses nationwide forming to commemorate this “achievement” turn my stomach. I won’t go as far to say I’m embarrassed to be an American, but I sure as hell will say I am embarrassed about our actions as a nation today.
I won’t pretend that I don’t know what this means to people in our country. I won’t pretend I didn’t see those towers fall 10 years ago on live news. I won’t pretend I didn’t see the decks of cards issued to soldiers so that they may recognize terrorist leaders. But the whole ordeal should be seen as a tragedy. The fact we had defend ourselves from our enemies both foreign and domestic in the first place is indeed saddening. I agree wholeheartedly that the apprehension of Bin Laden was necessary in order to prevent further acts of terror. His capture should be viewed as an act to ensure prolonged peace in the world instead of a chance to enact our petty revenge. Unfortunately the only means to stop him came about with his demise. This accomplishment of our mission to prevent the this man from committing further atrocities should be met with solemn reflection over the sacrifices made to get to this point; for those sacrifices have been great. Instead I see a wave of “National Pride” overcoming our major cities. That same pride that overcame web blogs when they saw Saddam Hussein asphyxiate and die. That same pride that Americans initially felt when pictures of the mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki
I will not condone Bin Laden’s actions. I won’t judge him for them either, only because that judgment is beyond me. As a practicing Catholic, I attended a candlelight service at the University of Arizona tonight not to honor his passing, but to pray that’s God’s judgment be just and that peace and love may once again enter our hearts in these desperate times. That our actions as a nation may not spread the wildfire of hate within the world stage, but rather compassion and forgiveness. It is a relief to know that there are members in my religious community who feel similarly. However I do realize many of my fellow students here as well as many Americans do not practice organized religion or any religion at all for that matter. To include politics and religion together in a statement like this often leads those who disagree to shut out the message I’m trying to convey. My goal is not to force my religion on you. My goal is to promote peace and compassion. So I’ll leave you with one final statement to reflect upon from a man who is universally respected not as a religious leader, but as a man who fought for peace and understanding for all of the world and its peoples.
