“Susan Meiselas: In History” in the International Center of Photography is an exhibition that features the work of photojournalist Susan Meiselas while she was in Nicaragua during a revolution and the middle east. Her work, revealed to the world, how important it is to be concerned about international affairs. Meiselas put her own welfare aside and it showed in her photographs. Her belief that it was important for people to get there stories heard took priority over her own well-being. It ultimately paid off because her work is not only shown in America , but is displayed in places all over the world.
One of Susan Meiselas’ most famous photographs is one of a Nicaraguan man holding a Molotov cocktail just before throwing it. The man has the cocktail on one hand and a rifle on the other, and the expression on his face is one that can not be posed or faked. His anger is clear and makes you wonder how Meiselas managed to get so close to the rebel. This image was so popular that it has been used as a propaganda piece for the rebellion and has been displayed all over the world.
Another image that was taken in Nicaragua , and one that was one of the most shocking, was one of two injured little boys that have just been rescued from a bomb that was dropped on their house. The look on one of the boys’ face as he watches the other die is one of despair and shock. The blood soaked floor reveals just how sudden the photograph was taken, with no wait or setup. Meiselas was there at that moment. Knowing that both children later died adds to the significance of the image and gives even more reason as to why people should see it.
Meiselas’ photographs of the Nicaraguan rebels fighting in the streets reveals a side of the revolution the no one at that time has seen before. The fact that she can get so close to the men with guns just as they are about to attack their enemies only makes you question what Meiselas was thinking. One can only imagine the danger that she was in not only for being a civilian, but for being a woman around these intimidating men with guns and scarves covering their faces.
The images of the revolution as it was nearing its end in the “Plaza de la Revolcion” shows how much the people of Nicaragua wanted change in their country. The thousands of people crowding the plaza to celebrate their victory can be put in a movie scene. The content look in the rebels face, and the civilians knowing the fighting is over. One can only make you imagine how relieved they must be not only because the revolution is over, but because they won.
Susan Meiselas’ images revealed a world that Americans would not soon forget. The danger she put herself in to bring these photographs to the public shows just how dedicated and important it was for the people of Nicaragua to get their stories heard. The lives that were lost and the injustice that took place would not have been portrayed the way they have if anyone else was their in place of her, which shows how great Meiselas was.