Cow photo appropriate

To the readers who were “disgusted” with the Aug. 30 photo of the dead cow used to reflect the devastation of the recent fires, I disagree. Historically, the most significant photos are the ones that stir emotions whether to enlighten minds, sear visions into memories, or initiate discussions and change.

Would the world go on without much thought if there were no photos of the Holocaust, or the iconic, fearful, nude Vietnamese girl running from napalm attack sobbing, or the Japanese who were fatally swept away by one of the worst tsunamis, or the current desperation on faces of the Syrian refugees?

The bombardment of the modern day 24/7 news cycle causes us to become immune to the effects of such suffering. Then we see the dramatic photo of the dead cow (wedged between trees attempting to flee the immense flames). What an impact! Suddenly, I am now deeply affected and thinking not only about the helpless animals of their habitats but have profound sympathy for the ranchers who now face physical, emotional and economical repercussions.

Yes, photos can be “disturbing” but used in the context to illustrate a newsworthy story, the photojournalists and the editors make such decisions respectfully and appropriately. So apropos to say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Liz Kawakami

Spokane