Selective Photography:Minimal Vision

The world that we live in with social media, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. We have conditioned ourselves to skim the pictures, video, or short tweet in order to skip to the next thing that catches our eyes. We glance quickly through Facebook or Instagram we are only looking for things that are interesting. Social media has changed how we read the news, get our information, and even spread information (regardless if it's true or not).

When pictures are worth a thousand words, we really need to spend more time hearing what they are saying. Iraqi forces allied with the US-led coalition (as every US news source has portrayed it), has taken back Mosul, and handed ISIS it's biggest defeat. But I wonder what the news sources are really trying to tell us.

Here are the top pictures when I searched for the victory in Mosul, Iraq. 


https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2017/07/11/gorka-explains-why-mosul-was-finally-able-to-be-liberated-from-isis-n2353315

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2017/0710/After-three-years-of-ISIS-dominance-in-Mosul-Iraqi-PM-announces-victory

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/30/middleeast/iraq-mosul-fighting/index.html

These pictures show those who are happy, they show military strength, they show celebration and people gathering together, but the question is what are they not showing. 

These pictures are not showing:

• These soldiers receive meals and place to live while what happens to those displaced by the fighting?
• What does the city look like now. Even though their home is liberated, what home do they have to go to?
• Things don't just go back to normal. 

Here are the pictures of Mosul, Iraq when you do some digging.

© The Associated Press http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sporadic-clashes-in-iraqs-mosul-after-victory-declaration/ar-BBEdvXf?li=AA4Zpp&ocid=spartanntp

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/30/middleeast/iraq-mosul-fighting/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/30/middleeast/iraq-mosul-fighting/index.html

Refugees waiting for food rations...http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/30/middleeast/iraq-mosul-fighting/index.html

A young boy stands next to a fence surrounding the football pitch at Al-Shuhadaa Stadium in the city of Iskandariya, Babil Governorate, Iraq. UNICEF/Khuzaie http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57039#.WWTyeLpFyUk

In giant underlined letters, because I don't want the pictures to overpower what I'm actually saying. 

I am not trying to get you to feel overly emotional, I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty, and I'm not trying to take away from the fact that ISIS was handed a big defeat. What I'm trying to say is that I am sad that the BIG HEADLINES highlight "MILITARY STRENGTH" and "VICTORY." And the SMALLEST HEADLINES (I had to use all caps if you were going to be able to read that) are telling the other half of the story. Stories that talk about "REFUGEES" "LACK OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH CARE" "ORPHANS AND WIDOWS." (James 1:27)

Again. Please hear what I am saying. I hurt for those who are rejected, I hurt for those who have lost it all, and I hurt for those whose voices have been minimized by the "Big Headlines." 

There are things we can do:

1. We can invite refugees over for a meal
2. We can help with teaching basic functions
1. Cooking on a stove
2. Sewing
3. Auto repair
4. Anything we take as "common knowledge"
3. Help transport them
1. Groceries
2. Medical Care
3. Government Appointments
4. Help them get
1. Banks
2. Drivers Licenses
3. Housing
5. Advocate
1. As a country that used to value diversity and people from all lands
2. As Christians and show Christ through our love, hospitality, and our resources
6. Get ahold of me, and I will put you into contact with some great people/friends who are doing amazing work with refugees and immigrants.