TOW #2: Visual Text - Syrian Refugees

"African asylum seekers packed into a boat" by Massimo Sestini, The Guardian. 25 June 2014. Web.

In a stunning picture capturing a birds-eye view of a boat filled with Syrian refugees, photographer Massimo Sestini is able to convey more than words ever could. Fleeing from a nation in chaos, many thousands of Syrian refugees are desperately piling in boats and setting out across the ocean to seek asylum in Europe. Sestini, an award winning photographer whose pictures have been featured in many Italian magazines, held onto the outside of a helicopter to take the photograph. She did so in order to send a message; escaping Syrians are in desperate need of help. During a time where some countries will not allow refugees past their borders, this picture is intended to sway them into giving aid. Those capable of provided assistance, such as other European countries, the European Union as a whole, and/or the United Nations, should be assisting these people. The image serves to both inform the general public, as well as to prompt them to allow refugees into their countries and do all they can to assist them. Sestini uses a fascinating metaphor to drive her point home, capturing a boat as lost and hopeless at sea as all the Syrian refugees are lost in the world. They have no home to go back to, and can only helplessly drift with what family they have left. Many in the picture are looking up and even holding their hands up to the sky as if asking it for help, allowing these details to communicate the clear message that the world has the obligation to step in and help them. The boat is filled to the brim, illustrating how big the problem is and showing just how many people have been effected by the disasters in Syria. All alone in the ocean with no sign of supplies, the picture’s details leads to a very strong sway of pathos and also includes some logos proving how bad the issue is. Sestini was very successful in showing the world the struggles that Syrian refugees are facing and that they deserve help to get through these tough times.