It's very hard to turn your back once you're aware of what's going on, and you're aware of the injustices, and you're aware of the civilian casualties. It's much easier if you have no idea and you've never seen it.
I was undeterred by the danger of traveling as a single American woman through Taliban-governed land. I believed in the stories I wanted to tell, the stories I felt were underreported, and I was convinced that that belief would keep me alive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the bravery of a woman determined to tell important stories despite the risks involved.
Lynsey Addario's quote highlights the courage and determination required to pursue one's passion, particularly in challenging and dangerous situations. It reflects her commitment to uncovering underreported stories, emphasizing that a strong belief in the importance of one's work can provide the strength to face fears and obstacles. This embodies the notion that passion and purpose can drive individuals to undertake significant risks for the sake of their values and mission.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about women's rights, one could reference this quote to highlight the courage of women in difficult circumstances.
More from Lynsey Addario
All quotes βI do think my childhood is one of the fundamental reasons that I'm able to do my job. We were raised in this totally nonjudgmental family. We never knew who was going to walk in the front door. And as a journalist and a photographer, you walk into so many different scenes that you have to be open to everything.
As a Western woman in the Middle East, I am often put in a different category. I am sort of like the third sex. I am not treated like a man. I am not treated like a woman. I am just treated like a journalist. That is usually really helpful.
My strength is looking for composition and light, and I think those things come in the quieter times of war or photographing people affected on the margins of war - civilians, refugees; that is where I really excel.
Don't expect things to happen fast. Be empathetic with the people you are photographing. Don't be concerned about money.
If people really saw what was happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, then they might be marching in the streets to end wars. But you know, I think that no one ever sees because we're not allowed to see, and we're not allowed to publish what we do see. So it's quite difficult.
Similar quotes
Fear unchecked grows exponentially. Love poured forth has the power to remove it. Thus is the power of God in our lives
Women have always been the strong ones of the world.
When I got home from hospital, and I was in a wheelchair in a plaster body cast, an aeroplane flew over. And I thought to myself, 'Well, if I can't walk, then I might as well fly.' And I was lifted into the aeroplane for the first time. And when I took the controls of the aeroplane, I knew this was something I could do. I thought, 'I can fly.'
Everybody's frightened a bit. But how many of us just go through the fear and do it anyway?
I've always embraced failure as a noble pursuit. It allows you to be anti whatever anyone wants you to be, and to break all the rules.
Everything is scary if you look at it. So you just got to live.