Magnum Blog / Shakira + Samir = true?

Shakira + Samir = true?

While working on a new book about Iraq, I came across this image, taken by a family, only a few months ago in Baghdad. This is, let's call him 'Samir', in his bedroom. His niece told me that Samir loves to listen to Western music. Shakira is his number one favourite. Posters of Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears and Shakira are tacked to Samir's bedroom wall in Baghdad, Iraq in this family photograph. Samir never leaves his parents’ house; he always stays in, most of the time in his room. No one leaves their house in Iraq, unless it is really necessary. Abduction, roadside- or suicide bombs, car accidents, robbery, torture and murder are daily occurrences. The kidnapping business is booming. A year ago, a ransom of between $8,000 and $180,000 was good enough to get your son or father back alive. Today, people pay that amount of money just to collect the body. Areas, villages and regions are ethnically cleansed, a term politicians do not like to use. Showing sympathy for Shakira will not be appreciated by any radical sectarian militia, the mujahedeen or al-Qaeda. Anyone who shows sympathy for America is a target of their rage.

Charley Gallay

Thanks so much for this post, and for your book Why Mister, Why?

We Americans are completely obsessed with celebrity, which is why this photo of "Samir" and the Shakira pictures gets to me so much. If he were reading a sports magazine or playing a video game, it wouldn't be the same. Instead, he is posing with his obsession/fantasy. Which is absolutely so American.

Ph. M.

Through iconography a western cultural invasion is happening since the begining of 20th cent. and is changing the non-yet-westernized world by wearing the friendliest smile.
This pre-military invasion does its work by spreading the numb.
The western cultural products being exported from the west, is only what the west wants to throw - its thrash - making (and) the rest of the world a huge dumb.

pierreyves

Unfortunately, those soldiers were glad to see that THEIR culture (Shakira and Xbox) is present abroad. But did they show any interest in Samir's parents' culture ??

I wish they had...

Charley Gallay

I find it odd that the invasion of Samir's country and his affection for a Colombian popstar are being conflated.

James Cox

Yes Geert, thanks for this. We need to be reminded what it’s really like out there. Your work in Iraq, Jan Grarup’s work in Darfur & Tchad, Stanley Greene’s work in Chechnya and Paolo Pellegrin’s recent work in Lebanon are what great photojournalism is all about. And great photojournalism DOES make a difference & DOES help to change opinions.

gaozheng

I'm afraid that one day we may only have one idol, one type of music and one game...

JH

What is even more arrogant, is the way the soldier claimes this boy's picture. "Oh hey that picture I like, I want that, Give it!" The boy probably loved the picture, that's why he put it on his wall in the first place. This also states the IQ-level of the American soldier. *Kick in the door* "Roaaarrr. Snif Snif. Heeee, familiar ass and tits, now you are O-kay."

Peter

The Iraq contingent of photographers is having a hard time. Nachtwey's pics of wounded American soldiers are marketable but Iraqis killing Iraqis has limited 'news' appeal.

zamambo

The hips dont lie....pun intended. I dont know how the soldiers can kick in your door and play your xbox...thats very disturbing

Nike Kobe IV

Iraq contingent of photographers is having a hard time.