Rachel West Julie Doppel Hicks Art + Society Visual Arts Honors October 11, 2013 Response to Erik

k Ravelos Los Intocables I have a confession: when you first told us about the photographs included in Los Intocables by Erik Ravelo, I thought I would be offended and repulsed because of my spiritual beliefs. At first, I was shocked. But the more I thought about them, the less shocked I was. On one hand, I am sure that many people are offended because the cross is one symbol of Christianity. Portraying anyone else on a cross is blasphemy in their mind. On the other hand, many people were crucified in Jesus Christs time. Criminals were sentenced to this horrific death for their horrific deeds. Juxtaposing this image with photographs of innocent children hanging on different crosses makes you think about what society is doing to children today, whether it is sexual abuse by religious leaders or enabling a child to consume an unhealthy amount of fast food on a regular basis. The children are martyrs, whether they (or society) realize it or not. The issues portrayed by each photograph are different, and yet the message is the same: each issue steals childhood away from these young children. In my opinion, this is evil in itself. According to the Hunger website, Ravelo thinks so, too: The right to childhood should be protected. It was brave and poignant for Erik Ravelo to present this idea in such thoughtprovoking ways. The first photograph refers to sexual abuse of little boys in the Catholic Church. In recent years, more men (both old and young) have come out and testified to the horrific abuses they suffered as children at the hands of leaders of the Catholic Church, men they trusted. The Church is supposed to be a sanctuary for all, and yet leaders were taking advantage of those most vulnerable for their own perverted pleasure. Further, there was more outrage over the lack of

accountability within the Church itself. Why were the men accused of abusing these young boys still allowed to keep their positions within the Church? Power, influence, promises, and connections seemed to play a role in the scandals, which in turn reflected back onto the Church and its followers. The followers were left as confused as non-Catholics as they, too, struggled for answers in this sad chain of events. This was yet another example of evil corrupting an institution known for good, a Church known for peace and order, and a sanctuary known for protection and refuge from the outside world. Personally, I felt quite filthy just looking at the picture. I was afraid that someone would look at the computer from behind, see the little boy in his underwear, and think I am a pedophile. Thankfully, that did not happen. But I did get angry thinking about these questions: where are the consciences of people like the Catholic leader in the photograph who abuse children? Why do they keep doing it, even when they feel morally filthy doing so? Or do they even feel filthy? I do not have the answers for these questions, and I do not want to know the answers. I do believe that participating in or even tolerating this abuse is a disgrace for any human, not to mention a religious and moral leader that these young victims look up to. Thou Shall Not Steal is one thing, but stealing innocence brings this commandment to a whole new level. When I first viewed the second photograph, I was confused because I thought that the man was the girls father. When I read the commentary on the Hunger website (linked on Moodle), I realized that this was the photo that referred to child sex tourism in Thailand. This is when the photographs power hit me. For some reason, I have always been incredibly emotionally moved by human trafficking more moved than I am by other world and societal issues. I was blessed enough to grow up in a happy childhood, innocent and fun-loving. It breaks my heart that millions of other children like the little girl in the picture are not in a similarly

safe and supportive environment. Yet, tourists still flock to places like Thailand, putting child sex and companionship on their itinerary. A segment of one of my favorite movies, Furious Love, follows the films creator and a friend to a red-light district in Thailand. The friend talks to a tourist about his thoughts concerning the young girls on the street, putting themselves out there for attention, money, and to please their pimps. The man being interviewed refers to this sad injustice as just part of their culture he thinks it is fine and brushes it off. He believes that child trafficking is frowned upon (not to mention illegal) in America because of a difference in culture, not just because the children are being physically and emotionally abused. Unfortunately, this mindset is probably the same for many tourists that scout out child prostitutes and companions on their adventures overseas. Thankfully, there are many organizations today that are dedicated to fighting child sex trafficking. Even this summer, the FBI was involved in a sting that rescued dozens of children from sex trafficking here in the United States. My hope is that we continue to hear about these organizations and the issues that they fight, and this awareness will move more people to take action and stop this injustice that robs children of an innocent childhood. The third photograph refers to war, particularly in the Middle East. War is a very relevant issue in our present culture with the extended presence of United States military in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern countries. Only a few weeks ago, the thought of war with Syria outraged many American citizens: havent we endured more than enough war over the past two decades? This question is not only asked in America, but in the Middle East as well. We see many pictures of American soldiers fighting to protect our freedoms in the media, but we dont usually think about the situation from the other point of view. Are children in America more deserving of a safe, peaceful childhood than children living in the land of our political rivals?

Absolutely not. Americans tend to glorify getting the bad guys without really thinking about the consequences this has on individuals around the bad guys. The children in their communities suffer violence every day, constantly fearing for their life. The little girl in Ravelos photograph represents these children her innocence and carefree childhood have been hung on the cross of war. There is not much she can do besides wait and hope that, one day, her children will not have to grow up in such a violent way. This is what we hope for our own children in America, but we must remember that childhood is practically universal. Ravelos photograph reminded me that we must extend compassion towards people who wish for the same joyful and peaceful childhood for their children, no matter where they live or what they believe. The fourth photograph refers to childhood diseases and medical conditions. It appears that the little boy is about to receive a heart transplant in the picture. In todays technologydriven society, researchers are using new breakthroughs in science and research to find new cures for diseases. Despite the advances that are coming to light, children are still suffering from diseases and medical conditions. This awareness is becoming more and more apparent: we see commercials for the St. Jude Childrens Hospital on television, we hear inspiring stories on the news about young patients courageous fights with certain diseases or conditions, and we may even be connected to an individual or family who is affected by a disease or medical condition of a child. It is much too easy, however, to get caught up in our lives and lose focus on the issues that plague others, such as the subject of this photograph. Like Ravelos photographs, we must be intentional in our awareness of the world around us and the issues it faces, which in turn, affects us all. Like the second photograph that deals with child sex trafficking, I was confused when I first looked at this photograph. This photograph immediately struck me as different from the

others because the adult forming the cross was actually helping the child, while in the majority of the others, the adult was harming the children (either knowingly or unknowingly). I questioned whether Erik Ravelo believed that doctors were unnecessary and maybe even harmful to children. Then I watched the short video in it, the doctor tries to look back at the little boy hung on his back. To me, this was a symbol of compassion and care. The doctor wanted to make sure the little boy was going to be okay, which was also his motivation behind the heart transplant. In my opinion, Ravelo wanted to bring attention not to the negative characteristics and actions of the person forming the cross, but to the way that they were trying to help. The doctor is a source of hope among the other adults who formed crosses in Ravelos photographs. This stark contrast reminds me that there is always hope there is always someone who is willing to do what is necessary to help others and to mold a better society. Ravelo captured this sentiment perfectly in this fourth photograph, an inspiring and shining light amidst the darkness of the other issues portrayed in the other photographs. The fifth photograph refers to school shootings and violence against children in school. The shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last year shocked the nation. How could a person kill so many innocent people, especially elementary school students? They did nothing to wrong him, and yet he took out his anger and mental instability against them, ruthlessly taking lives. From Columbine High School to Virginia Tech to Sandy Hook Elementary School, shootings outright massacres in some cases have affected our culture heavily. Most people will know what you are talking about when you reference one or all of these places and the violent events that corrupted them. The thought of a shooting on the UNC Charlotte campus scares me. I have thought about it before and wondered what I would do. Would I hide in a safe place, or would I cover my friends from the madman? I dont know and I

hope I never find out. Interestingly, the media makes it seem like violence in schools has increased, but I have also been taught in high school that this is not the case we just think it is because the media has become a much bigger part of our lives. In any case, I hope and pray that we never have a school shooting at UNC Charlotte. The sixth photograph refers to environmental issues that people cause, which possibly lead to radiation (symbolized by the man in the orange radiation suit) and cancer. I am not an expert on cancer treatments, but the childs baldness may be a signal of chemotherapy or radiation treatment, and the fact that he is wearing a diaper signifies the side effects of the disease or even the physically harsh treatment. The photograph reminds me of Erin Brokovich. Many big corporations are willing to cheaply but irresponsible dispose of waste at the expense of people living nearby the dumping site. The effect it has on the people is devastating, just as the effect of the radiation on the child (and his family) in Erik Ravelos photograph is devastating. It is sad that these corporations value money paper with ever-changing value over humanity, individuals with families, dreams, and contributions to society. It is even sadder that the people, such as the child in Ravelos photograph, must suffer so to quench the corporations greedy thirst for money. Like the children shot by strangers in schools, the children affected by cancer caused by environmental problems did nothing to deserve this sickness. And yet, part of their childhood is lost in hospital beds, harsh chemical and radiation treatments, and sadness and despair. Even though this sickens me, I realize that this emotional sickness that I have towards this unfairness and injustice pales compared to the real sickness that these children and their families must endure. The seventh and final photograph refers to obesity among children, especially in America. Childhood obesity has recently come to attention as a social problem. There has even

been debate over whether allowing your child to become and remain morbidly obese is a form of child abuse. Several health risks for morbidly obese people are obvious diabetes, heart problems, etc. but the emotional effects that plague these individuals (particularly children) often go unnoticed. Bullying is a large stress on obese children, and some children may turn to food even more to cope with the stress. Obese children cannot enjoy the fun of being active as much as fit children can because their bodies tire more easily. If they are made fun of other children while participating in such activities, they will be emotionally traumatized and stray away from similar activities which could result in embarrassment, shame and/or humiliation. The list of negative results of childhood obesity goes on and on. In contrast, Ronald McDonald is almost always presented in a happy, carefree way. He is a symbol of joy to children around the world with his contagious smile. He is also presented as caring towards all children. Ravelos picture was almost shocking to me it was strange to see Ronald now turned to the wall, acting as a cross upon which a child is hanging. It made me think: are we, American society, sentencing children to earlier death with unhealthy eating habits that they will carry into adulthood? I have personally experienced the effects of too much fast food. My little brother was born physically handicapped when I was four years old. My parents had to take him to countless doctor appointments and therapy sessions. We almost always had to drive to Charlotte (or farther), which was about 30 to 45 minutes away from our home, depending on traffic. Because of the strain on time, we would eat out a lot. It got to be a habit when we went to school. My mom would take us by McDonalds on many days to get a snack there because it was fast and delicious. There were a few years before I hit a growth spurt that I was chubby really chubby. When it got to the point when my mom was concerned, she started decreasing the snacks and

meals we got from fast food places. Years later, I am petite in stature. My stomach usually cant handle McDonalds, Burger King, and even Arbys. I havent eaten an entire meal from McDonalds in a while. Looking back, I can see how fast food affected my body and my selfesteem. Even though I was not obese, I was not the healthiest child in the world, either. I am thankful that my family learned this important lesson then, so the effects did not plague me in middle or high school. On a separate note, it is interesting how the childrens faces are blurred. Even though the practical purpose is to protect the privacy and identity of the children, it also serves an artistic purpose. The issues that Erik Ravelo covers in his photographs affect millions of children across the globe in one way or another. It could affect your son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbor, a classmate of your child, or even a child you see when you are out and about. By blurring the faces of the children, you can more easily picture a child you know in their place, hanging on the cross of an issue. This increases the power of the photographs to viewers. Secondly, blurring the faces of the children displays how dehumanizing some of these issues are. For example, with sex trafficking in Thailand, children are often seen as property or goods that a person has bought and therefore deserves to enjoy. As sickening as this is to type, it is true. Just as the Nazis committed atrocities by dehumanizing their victims, I am sure that the individuals who purchase trafficked children must put their compassion and empathy away to satisfy their needs and take advantage of the opportunity that they bought. The children lose their status as children and become materials and items to be bought and used. Obviously, the picture referring to child sex trafficking disturbs me. But the first picture, referring to the sexual abuse of young boys by leaders in the Catholic Church, disturbs me the

most. I think the public would also find it most disturbing, and I think it would be most likely to incite the public to a negative reaction. My advisor in high school, a history teacher, taught her students that people dont like others to mess with their religion or money. I find this to be very true. Catholics who look at this picture will be very offended that Ravelo chose this element (scandal) of their religion to highlight, when there are so many good elements that permeate the beliefs taught and practiced by the Church. Further, the cross is a very powerful image to Christians, and particularly Catholics, who are known to pray with rosaries. When you take away the image of Jesus Christ on the cross and replace him with a perverted leader in Jesus Christs own Church, you are bound to offend many people. Replacing any religious image with a perverted image is often seen as offensive in itself, but when the perverted image is directly linked to the Church, people are going to get angry. Along with this, the Catholic Churchs sexual abuse scandal continues to be investigated and debated today. When all of these factors are combined, I believe that this photo is most likely to incite a negative reaction from the public.