Photography as a catalyst for compassion
A single image can pierce through our psychic numbing, compelling us to confront injustices, tragedies, and the profound human cost of conflict and suffering. It is through the faces of those affected that we are awakened to the urgent need for action.
As discussed in our article on Memorializing Emmett Till, visual testimonies hold extraordinary power to challenge societal indifference and ignite empathy. Emmett Till's open casket photograph became a turning point in the civil rights movement, just as other iconic images have driven social and political change.
Whether it's the devastating toll of war, the deep scars of racism, the horrors of terrorism, the relentless struggles of migration, or the desperate hunger caused by famine, these photographs put a human face to often overwhelming global issues. They remind us that behind every statistic is a life, a story, and a future at risk.
By making the abstract tangible, these images serve as catalysts for empathy, ignite activism, and shape our collective memory, urging us to break through indifference and act for change.
Here are seven photographs that have not only altered our perspective but have also played pivotal roles in driving social and political movements across the globe.
A 9-year-old girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, runs screaming, her body severely burned by napalm during the Vietnam War. By Nick UT/ AP Images.
This Pulitzer-winning image exposed the brutality of war, galvanizing global anti-war movements. On June 9, 1972, Kim and the work of an Associated Press photographer made headlines around the world, appearing on the front pages of newspapers everywhere. The impact was staggering. The image of Kim running, burned by napalm, shook the conscience of the international community.
Fifty years after being photographed, Kim Phuc dedicates her life to helping child victims of war through her organization, the Kim Foundation International.
Crying Migrant Girl in the U.S.-Mexico Border by John Moore (2018)
Photograph: John Moore | Credit: Getty Images.
This heart-wrenching image of a young Honduran girl sobbing as her mother is detained at the U.S.-Mexico border exposes the devastating emotional toll of immigration policies, particularly family separations. It became a rallying cry against inhumane practices, fueling widespread protests and influencing public opinion on immigration reform.
The Falling Man by Richard Drew (2001)
A man jumps to his death after being unable to withstand the flames in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. "The Falling Man". Richard Drew/AP.
This haunting photograph of a man free-falling from the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks became an enduring symbol of human vulnerability in the face of unspeakable terror, encapsulating the trauma and loss of that day.
The horrifying image of two African American men lynched in Marion, Indiana, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, exposed the perverse normalization of racial violence in the U.S., galvanizing early civil rights efforts.
Famine in Sudan by Kevin Carter (1993)
Kevin Carter’s Pulitzer-winning photo of a starving child collapsing under the watchful gaze of a vulture epitomized the world’s neglect of famine-stricken regions. It ignited intense debate about global responsibility and the ethics of photojournalism.
AP/Briscoe Center for American History
Eddie Adams’ photograph of a South Vietnamese officer executing a Viet Cong prisoner in cold blood captured the stark brutality of war. The visceral image challenged the morality of military actions, fueling anti-war sentiment in the United States.
Tank Man at Tiananmen Square by Jeff Widener (1989)
This iconic photograph captures a lone protester standing defiantly in front of a line of tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing.
The Power of Bearing Witness
These photographs demonstrate that a single image can transcend barriers of language and culture, forcing us to confront harsh realities and inspiring us to act.
They remind us of our shared humanity and the power of visual storytelling to transform empathy into meaningful change.
By keeping these stories alive, we not only honor the victims but also empower ourselves to stand against injustice and build a more compassionate world.