Go Figure

This photo won Eddie Adams the 1969 Pulitzer Prize. It represents the reality of the Vietnam War. One glimpse at the photo and one would instantaneously infer that that Nguyen Van Lam (Bay Lap) was the victim here and Loan was the malicious, brutal, and ruthless colonel. In reality Van Lam was the main man behind the killings of many other men and was deserving of what happened to him as cruel as that sounds. Adam realized that this picture doesn’t due justice to Loan and Adam himself said that “photographs do lie, even without manipulation. They are only half-truths” and that is precisely what happened. This photo started to change American public's views on their involvement in the Vietnam War."

Those protesting the Vietnam War
This photograph should be the cover of a magazine to shed light to the truth behind the brutality of the Vietnam War. No matter what the victim did, who has the right to cease a persons life without digging down to core of what really occurred? Where is this victim’s human right? Where is the executer’s sanity?

The US government in support of the Vietnam War
This photo should not be shown in order to maintain the competency of the US government and their erroneous judgment. If this photo is released the citizens will develop a mistrust in their government and that will lead to a lack of trust and hope in the way they govern.

Eddie Adams in 1969
This photo should be posted. This shows the enigmatic side of photography and how, within the stillness of a moment, an image could be interpreted in various ways. Adams is passionate about capturing life and putting real and grave scenarios into perspective. Although some photos may lure be misinterpreted, ultimately they are eye openers and mind boggling.
Nyugen Ngoc Loan (man doing the execution)
This photo should not be published to save Loan face. It’s not fair that he isn’t allowed to verbally speak in this photograph because his action leaves the viewer despising him. This photo brings disgrace to Loan and his family, something I’m sure a photographer wouldn’t think of until after its been publicized.

Nguyen Van Lam's widow (widow of the man being executed)
This photo should not be published because no matter what is going on in the photo, the fact that her husband is deceased earns him right to rest in peace and not have his family worry and deal with the aftermath and controversy that such a photo would cause. For heaven sake this woman’s husband was just shot in the head, she already has to deal with the anguish, pain, and sorrow and on top of that she would have to deal with a lifetime of speculation.

A publisher who must decide if this picture should appear in a fifth grade history book (assume that the photo has now appeared in the newspaper and has won the Pulitzer Prize)
This picture should not appear in a fifth grade history book let alone any elementary or middle school history book. Children have a propensity to emulate a lot of the things that they see on TV, videogames, comic books, and etc. Perhaps a child would see that picture and think that such acts are permissible and want to try it sometime himself. This is not the type of controversy we want our children getting into.