NPR recently conversed with my friend
Ben and showcased some of the work he did in Afghanistan. Ben is a dynamic Man, whose work inspires me. In light of his interview, his ambition and effectiveness to communicate his value of humanity and understand the experiences of others is remarkable.
Ben states, "With these images — which are the beginning of a much larger project — I want to show Afghans not as victims of war or as people we are fighting against, but just as people of value. I wanted to show these people and their lives beautifully to help break down the ugly stereotypes we have of Afghans. My goal for the project is to do my part to expand our cultural conversation about Afghanistan beyond whether or not to pull troops out, and instead give viewers a deeper perspective of the country and its people."
I think that his intention is spot on. There is proven wisdom to be mobilized by observing humanity and relationships in a holistic-context. Conflict often makes it difficult to see beyond offensive behaviors. Creativity is a powerful tool that can redeem the loss which is experienced. I appreciate Ben's art!
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