The above image is a photograph captured in 1994 by Kevin Carter. Carter initially made his career as a sports photographer, but became involved with the political strife in South Africa. When he needed a break from the tumult, he travelled to Sudan where he captured this photograph.

Portrayed is the subject, a Sudanese girl, quite emaciated, with a vulture lurking behind. Her body is collapsing in on itself and show serious signs of malnutrition: bones protruding, appendages vanishing, and a distended belly. She is crawling her way to a feeding center, but at any moment this child could die, and the bird knows it.

The objects denote this must have been captured in a third world country: she wears only a necklace and bracelet, no clothing, no buildings, no streets; nothing to show development.

It was published in the New York Times, and a massive influx of letters to the editor led to a follow-up of the child. It assured readers the child arrived to the feeding station alive and noted that Carter chased away the vulture. However, although she was successful in living that day, we all know children this emaciated still fight to survive every day.

The initial bodily reaction I (and arguably most) feel is one of shock. “How could this happen?!” sort of feeling. But, in civilized and wealthy nations such as America, we also say (out loud, to ourselves, or subconsciously) “That is terrible!...And thank god it’s not me.” But what help have most of us offered? Sure our mouths drop at the picture, we exclaim how horrid it is, but that’s it. That’s the extent we help. As if looking by at the image and reading the included article we are helping.

The photograph is a plea for tangible help. Just inducing emotions isn’t enough. The political situation there was/is bleak, and countries such as our own should have the means to help. Carter wanted people to help; he took this photograph as a means of documenting the effects of political strife and the need of improvement for these people. Gawking just won’t do. Action will.

As a follow-up of this photo, it won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography. Also in 1994, Carter committed suicide at age 33. And yes, this picture was the final straw for him. If the bodily emotions you feel just looking at this are depressing, imagine those of the photographer who couldn’t continue living with his bodily emotions.