To me, this chapter held the most weight in the last part of the book. Not because of the violence that Lynsey and her colleagues experienced, but because of how critical it was to all of their mindsets, resulting in some epiphanies of how they plan to move, or not move, forward in their lives.
For Lynsey, she knew she would continue travelling and capturing war zones, but the effect of the brutal kidnapping had on her marriage, was that she surrendered to becoming a mother and fulfilling that part of life with her husband Paul. She exclaims this quite suddenly as they are in a prison, waiting and hoping that they will be able to get to the city of Tripoli "If we do, I am going to be so fat in nine months!" It's amazing how realizations can come to us so suddenly that are so life changing, even if they aren't immediate.
Another reason why I think this chapter was the most compelling was that she literally started the chapter off with them being captured, and went through the entire experience, psychological and physical, through the whole chapter until they were released.
Seeing that their young drive, Mohammed, had been killed in their abduction was just one of the many harms their drivers had experienced working with them, but it really seemed to effect them all more than usual. They're comraderie in this chapter and her speaking of them all so much was also something that contributed to the importance of the chapter. Journalism is a very competitive sport they're bondedness shows through so strong in chapter 11.
The below photo is (one of) my favorite photos in this section. I chose this one because despite the chaos and trauma that we know is happening all around this woman, she is holding herself with protection and love, finding a place of quiet and solidarity in her mind.
Taking risks and pushing yourself into position seems to be one of the skills that I have taken from this section of the book. This also, unfortunately can put oneself at risk of injury, harm, or death. Remember your why and stay committed to it.
pg. 148 " So many women were casualties of their birthplace. They had nothing when they were born and would have nothing when they died; they survived off the land and their dedication to their families, their children"
This quote, to me, reflects the incredible strength, oppressed power and wisdom, and eternal love to nurture that women possess within themselves. Through capturing the countless number of women healing and wounded from sexual assault and rape in the Republic of Congo, Addario was able to give them a voice, or atleast expose their reality. Lynsey is able to be very matter of fact, and say it straight, which is something that I aspire to work on and be able to strengthen through photojournalism myself.
