Joao Silva is Walking Again

I've been thinking for a long time to write an apology of some works that I made some time ago criticizing the manipulation of photogenic events such as war, violence, famine and genocide.

The Bang-Bang Club and the figures of Kevin Carter, Greg Marinovich, Ken Oosterbroek and Joao-Silva epitomize the ambivalent relation between authentic photojournalism, media consciousness, awareness of events and consumerist manipulation by the media.

I cannot hide my joy after seeing this video of Joao Silva walking again thanks to technology and science. Joao Silva's strength of character has made me re-evaluate my perception of the Bang-Bang Club. He is casting them in a different light, showing them as authentic personalities, real motherf...ers committed to what the do best and willing to sacrifice everything for what they believe in; life, legs, anything.

As you may know Joao Silva lost both legs in October of 2010 to a land mine detonation while doing photographic coverage in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was visited by First Lady Michelle Obama on Memorial Day.

God Bless Joao.

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/standing-when-the-first-lady-pays-a-call/?scp=1&sq=joao%20silva%20+michelle%20Obama&st=cse


http://blogs.elpais.com/aguas-internacionales/2011/06/joao-silva-empieza-a-caminar.html

Kevin Carter