On the Media: The Photo of Aylan Kurdi

Physical:

A photo of a toddler from Syrian who drowned and was washed up in Turkey.

Psychological:

How is this photo affecting us? Personally, how is it affecting you? Brooke did a great job describing in detail the effects it should have on our nation, and us as a society. Like Brooke mentions "it forces us to see what we already know." In other words, it's addressing the elephant in the room that we need to make a change. I know anytime I see any child in any sort of pain or pictured in a traumatic experience, it hits me. Hard. It makes me want to do something about it, and I have opportunities that arise to do so, I rise to the occasion. We all need to have the mindset of arising to the occasion to help. To get out of our comfort zone and create opportunities to better our country.

Social:

Many people are angry. Very angry that the first thing they saw this morning in the newspaper was a photograph of a toddler who had drowned due to his boat being capsized. This family was running from their country because the fear of continuing to live their surpassed the fear of death at sea. So why are people mad? Because, like Brooke mentioned it's forcing people to see what a cruel and evil society we're living in! There are so many more countries that could involve themselves in taking out the leaders that are killing innocent people in Isis. So I say be angry. Be pissed off that your country  isn't doing anything to help the innocent children and families escape from being shot to death in their sleep, or being forced into the army themselves.
Culture:

So what is Isis saying about it? I had to do some more research on the issue, but apparently Isis is claiming those who are trying to escape will "find refuge in Hell." Them trying to escape is against the Islamic religion because the parents are killing off their children. 

AH! This makes me so angry! How are there people that even say things like this still alive?! Honestly, how is it not okay to try to protect your family by escaping the country and people that threaten them a sin? In what right mind would anyone see this as a bad choice. It's frustrating to me to see that there are minimal people taking action, when there are so many things that the countries near Isis can do to help.

I'm sad that this tragedy had to happen to this family, because I know they had good intentions and the parents were doing the best they could with what they had. I don't even have to know the parents personally to know that, I don't have to know their class, religion, or even what type of parenting skills they had to know that them escaping Isis was all under good intentions for their entire family.

Temporal Context:

Social media has the option to take this story up or down. Unfortunately the majority of the UK, (where it was mostly published on the front page of major newspapers) are upset and angry at the press for doing that. When really, they should actually read what the articles are saying and try to help! A lot of the articles I read were mentioning how taking in refugees isn't a long-term solution, but will help build trust. 

I really wish there was something more me, personally could physically do to help families trying to escape the torture of the Army in Isis. Unfortunately all I can do is spread positive stories and hope that someone who has the opportunity to help hears me out and will help those in need.

**One of the biases I found that definitely had an impact on me was the music they chose to play while Brooke was narrating the story! It was sad and depressing and reminded me of the Sarah McLachlan Animal Cruelty commercial that everyone also has a problem with. Why do people get so defensive when someone brings out the empathy in them? Let me know if you ever find a legit answer to that!