Western Abuse, a photo from Cebu, Central Visayas

Photographer's Note

This shot is from the 2nd story of a MacDonalds restaurant in Cebu, Philippines. Cebu is home to some of the happiest and most hospitable people in the entire world. They live with a deep passion for life, whether it be their own or that of others.

Unfortunately, much of the Philippines has fallen victim to Western exploitation. We send labor over seas and offer minimal pay to those who work in the factories. At best this serves as a temporary boost to a developing nations economy, but the moment a western company finds a counrty with lower labor costs we send the work to a different country leaving a deep scar of abuse on the countries we use for cheap labor. Our consumerism at home leaves millions homeless and destitute abroad.

rikko77, tomauer, Yeyepia, verje, clayco trouve(nt) cette note utile

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redlegs109 (53) 2009-03-01 15:16 [Comment]

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marqopolo (136) 2009-03-01 15:46

Wow, great 'social photography'! Besides of the sadness that you captured. I like the blur of it. It makes it this reality a bit unreal!

TFS!

Marco

Polonaise (5802) 2009-03-01 21:18 [Comment]

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rikko77 (10861) 2009-03-02 1:13

Hi Jeff, I like your pic and the message behind it, don't care if it's out of focus. I like it.
Greetings,
Rikk

jwharch (164) 2009-03-03 4:33

Your picture does tell a very powerful (and sad) story. Even if the picture is out of focus, the message is clear - an excellent way of learning about the world through photography. It would be noteworthy to include a corrupt government - and a citizenry unwilling or unable to change it - as one of the main reasons for this family's situation.

tomauer (316) 2009-03-05 5:45

Hi Jeff, not a particularly good shot to be honest, however an interesting thought provoking note, without which, this photograph could may as well be just a out of focus snapshot accidently taken while fumbling for some french fries..

Their is obviously a story or aim this shot was intended to achieve, it does to an extent, thanks to the note. I just think this could have MUCH MUCH more intensity and impact, alongside the note, if it was composed better. Of course we all have our opinions, mayby some prefer the blur, but i honestly believe it doesn't achieve anything, considering their really isn't a area of focus in any part of the shot. To the story, I have seen what westernization has done to the islands and people, their is no doubt it has it's negatives, definitely. However is it not us, the people, that allow this. You need two to dance. Then we go over to politics, We are the ones who elect these corrupt politicians are we not? and then we Shout People Power, and remove the person we put in power by a landslide of votes. We did all this to ourselves. We need to be more proud of our island nation, the revolutionaries and past heros all promoted this, but i still see people idolizing other countries. It was Jose Rizals, and many others, Dreams to unite with our Austronesian Brothers! from Madagascar to Hawai'i . And honestly i hate the westernization of everything, we need to promote our own initiatives as well, and stop copying from what is known. How can we move forward then.

But i do agree with you, and thankfully their are still some isolated areas safe for the meantime. I think i am at a point that i should just move back to live in the mountains like my ancestors, of course i can't do that. But i still keep my roots alive best i can. Your shot at least provokes some discussion, and not just "nice shot. TFS"

So it's not a total waste. Oh and "TFS"

Mabuhay! :)
-Tom