Brickyard Work

No editorial comment

Wow. Pretty powerful stuff. Where was this taken?

I still can't get over the age of the children and the amount of bricks lined up on the top right.

 

Strong image.

Powerful image. Good framing.

If you merely wish to view the image as an independent entity, without comment, then do not read on. For those wanting more editorial detail, continue reading.

 

The image was taken on a small island in the middle of the Ayeyarwady River near Mandalay, which I reached by rowboat. The mud is sufficiently wet and of a character to make good bricks. Folks who live on the island dig the mud, carry it to a spot where one or two women slosh it into a small mold, after which yet more women carry the wet bricks off to pile and dry. Much of the sequence of action is viewable in the folder containing this image.

 

The homes on the island are extremely modest, most consisting of bamboo poles, bamboo thatching, and either a dirt floor or a woven bamboo mat. I don't think there is a school on the island, and certainly there is neither power nor running water. Children who have the physical skill, which is to say those above the age of six, work along with their mothers digging and toting baskets of mud, for which they receive the equivalent of about 15 cents a day. Although not an uncommon occurence in South Asia, such a sight never fails to sadden the heart, even more so when the children invariably smile and mug for the camera. Kids are so strong.

 

To get personal here, I wonder what all the anti-globalization protestors say when what they see here is their apparent goal? Burma, along with the likes of Afghanistan, Somalia et al, are places where the globalization train has yet to stop. Is this the attractive alternative so many seek? Has anyone asked these un-globalized folks if this is really what they want, or must true democracy and personal choice yield to the self-appointed paternalism and patronizing of the activist crowd?

 

I have a little experience in these matters. I have spent a decade wandering around with my camera and trying to fix things such as this. Although I've sent hundreds or thousands of children to school, provided medical and dental care to as many, provided food and housing, funded small businesses, tried to upgrade power and sewer grids, etc., etc., etc., it is merely a drop in the bucket. In places where the "dastardly" globalization train has stopped, ten times the lifestyle improvements have come without the need for someone like me.

 

I've held the hand of a small child as he died from a drug resistant TB strain, too late to do anything about it. Afterwards, I've cursed those who think the way to a better world is to fly off to each and every international gathering of men in suits merely to carry placards and smash the windows of a Starbuck's, deluding themselves into thinking they are doing this child a favor. Here above, in the image before you, is your reward and your responsibility. Ignorance is no defense.

Strong well composed photograph made all the more powerful by your use of Black and White. It is a privilege to view your work and commentary.It is often the lot of westerners to "cluck"concern for the "third world" but not make a face to face body statement of caring.Thank You for your humanity and skill. Alan Klaw "cactusklaw @aol.com" New Mexico U.S.A.