Anguish Quote by James Nachtwey
“If there is something occurring that is so bad that it could be considered a crime against humanity, it has to be transmitted with anguish, with pain, and create an impact in people - upset them, shake them up, wake them out of their everyday routine.”
About This Quote
Source Photograph: War zones, various publications, 2000s
When atrocities occur, they must be shown with raw emotion to shock people out of complacency.
In simple terms: Show horrors to wake people up.
Key Takeaway
Use powerful images to provoke empathy and action.
Themes
justice
empathy
activism
Mood
urgent
somber
Type
activist
documentary
When to use this quote
- journalism
- humanitarian campaigns
- education
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
human rights
media ethics
psychology of trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance shock with constructive response?
- What responsibilities do creators have when depicting suffering?
A Different Perspective
Impact can be limited if viewers become desensitized.
![“What has happened here [aftermath of 9/11] is not war in its traditional sense. This is clearly a crime against humanity. War crimes are crimes which happen in war time. There is a confusion there. This is a crime against humanity because it is deliberate and intentional killing of large numbers…” quote by Benjamin B. Ferencz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d6f/benjamin-b-ferencz-43385_aftermath_what-has-happened-here-aftermath-of-9-11_1058536.jpg)
