Hello, everyone! I hope you are doing well! Throughout the process of writing an issue brief, I have brainstormed several ideas for the advocacy project that I would like to share with all of you. After researching, blogging, deliberating, and talking about food waste, I have decided that it would be appropriate to use the next project as another platform for advocating limited food waste. I think that creating an advocacy project about this topic would also be a great opportunity to complement finished projects. For example, I could create an infographic that exemplifies one of our approaches to limiting food waste on college campuses: educating the students through passive approaches. I could also create an infographic for restaurants or fast food chains, which coincides with the bulk of my issue brief. I am interested in creating an infographic because I think it would effectively grab the attention of my audience – consumers – and would be a realistic approach to influencing the food waste habits of ordinary people. Let me know what you guys think!
When it comes to the photos displayed in the photo essay, “Photographer as Witness: A Portrait of Domestic Violence,” I think that the photos are works of art and platforms for advocating domestic violence. The photos are a form of artwork because each one portrays an abstract idea – a key aspect of art – through people and places. All of the abstract ideas are intangible emotions that unify all of us, including love, hate, patience, mistrust, anger, joy, sorrow. The snapshots of the domestic violence are also pieces of advocacy because each one pulls on the heartstrings of its onlooker, which may inspire that person to take a stand against domestic violence. The emotions emanating from the photos engender advocacy, and the advocacy leads to persuasion. On another note, I have a hard time believing that the photos are an insult to ethics for several reasons. First of all, the people allowed the photographer to document the ebb and flow of their lives by taking photos. Also, I’ve seen and heard so many worse things through all forms of media. The photographs ultimately reveal the difficulty of life and the existence of particular issues that need to be addressed, including domestic violence. The photos are indeed sensitive, but at least they don’t create the impression that life is perfect.
It’s extremely fitting that you continue on the path of advocating for food waste reduction! It may be difficult to pinpoint an exact audience, but I think you have a great start! Targetting students would help, maybe even students of a younger age! I agree with you on your stance on the Photographer as Witness. I also think that Sara used her emotion-provoking photos as a platform to advocate against domestic violence and that her publication of the photos was ethical. If she was a stranger to a couple, I think it would be a different situation; however, Maggie and her abuser opened their life up to Sara’s camera.
I think an infographic is a great idea, and I think with your personal experience, it might be fun to make an infographic for employees at various restaurants. When it comes to the photo essay, I respectfully disagree with your assessment. I understand where you are coming from, but I have a hard time processing the fact that Sara did nothing but take photos as Maggie got abused. Sure, she had permission, but that isn’t why it bothers me. I have no problem with Sara taking photos, since she was invited. However, I find it hypocritically ridiculous that Sara is advocating against domestic violence, and yet failed to do anything but become a bystander. I know, intervening would make it worse. But, unless I missed something, it seems like she didn’t even call the police. It specifically said that another resident called the police. Why couldn’t Sara have called the police rather than sit there and do nothing but take photos? Idk, that is just how I felt from the article but I value your opinion of course xD
I think the infographic as your mode of advocacy is genius! I am more interested in an infographic targeted to college students as we explored in our deliberation, but any of the ideas you said would be great. I think it will be cool to see how your will shape your infographic with the same overall message according to your intended audience. I agree with your view on the pictures as well. I debated awhile, and am still in conflict, whether it was a work of art, but I came to the same conclusion based on what photos were chosen and how the blurbs were written. There was definitely a bit of freedom with the photographer in how to showcase her message the best. I agree with what you said about ethicallity, but while technically ethical, it just seemed like a jerk move to photograph such intimate moments that Maggie I am sure would never have guessed would happen. I am just glad in the end Maggie was ok with it and even wanting to go forth with using her life experience captured on camera to help others.