Genocide in the Congo

1/7/2021

The Power of images and photos can change history and expose human atrocities. In 1905, missionary Alice Harris took photographs with her Kodak camera exposing the horrific mutilations of the Congolese people by the Belgium Government. King Leopold's rubber slave trade killed twelve million people in the Congo, while thousands of survivors were left with mutilated limbs. The photographs were published in newspapers around the world and helped to end King Leopold's reign of the Congo.
1. Discuss the power of photographs and smart phones in present society? What examples of injustices can they expose?
2. What effect do these images have on your thoughts regarding
imperialism in Africa, specifically the Congo?
3. What are your thoughts on the European imperialism in Africa?

15 Comments

Khanh Tu

6/25/2020 10:23:19 am

Pictures and smartphones in the present have great effects toward people. A photographs can capture bad moment of others. Through a photo you can see what happen; the emotions; the actions, and the reality, example of this is a picture of like torture. You can see emotion of the people being torture, the action of torment and the reality of society in the ( abusing others). These images have power to simulate thoughts into people head. A image can spark ideas in people either it is bad nor good(depend on the image) the Images about the Congolese alter my view on the European. I feel the sadness of the Congolese in the picture and with some info I had gained I sense injustice from the Europeans. I feel like Europeans' imperialism is just another form of slavery. Forcing people to accept something like changing their religion, making them do work, killing them if they are not good enough. This seem like Europeans are toying with the Congolese. They were not treated like people instead like properties

Iliana Encinares - Period 1

1/7/2021 09:34:43 am

Photographs and smartphones within the world today are almost like a basic part of human life. Most of the population has access to a smartphone, and it has become a societal norm to have one. Throughout the day these phones also act as your camera, so you can snap a quick photo of whatever interests you. However these easy access cameras can also show the harsh realities of the world we live in. For example, during these times smartphones have already captured forms of racism and abuse within the world. These pictures display the raw emotion that those who are going through such injustices are displaying. These images are then quickly shared to the rest of the public and opinions are then created. Photographs and smartphones therefore play a crucial role in the balance within a society because of how they can impact the mindset of the people. The images that were taken in Congo show the brutality of the Europeans to those they saw were lesser human beings. The imperialism that went on within this African country brought no benefits to the native people. They were in fact exploited and turned into slaves, only for most to be killed in the end. The people went through punishments during this time, which shows that the expansion of power was solely to gain it through force, and not through peace. The photos presented show me that the imperialism spread through Congo was full of more loss than gain. Over all they contain a negative impact on my ideas, as well as many other people. My thoughts on European imperialism in Africa have been altered negatively, though the idea of it is logical. The spread of imperialism was a main structure to what the world is today, but I believe that it was poorly done. Had racism been put aside at this time then the world would possibly contain less discrimination today. In short, the basic idea of imperialism is logical, but the means that they used to do it are unethical.

Matthew Orozco link

1/7/2021 10:33:20 am

Pictures and smart phones have a strong affect among many people. Pictures can sometimes lead to strong emotions such as being sad, happy, angry, or jealousy. Because of photographs we can see what happened in that time period such as people actions, landscape, time, and space. This image is an example of injustice we can see how just because of where they were born they were forced to work until literally cannot no more and when they cant, they often got mutilated which lead there death. Without this image we would not being to 100% be certain that this event happened in the first place. The photographs of the Congo leave a very bad taste in my mouth, the fact this event happened is sad in the first place. I can feel the injustice through the imperialism that occurred during this time frame. I believe the imperialisms in Africa was very wrong forcing slavery on others is horrible. The forced them to work so hard to point where they could not work no more and at time once they could not work no more they were mutilated and killed as if this was all a game Europeans. What they did was very unethical and was rushed to the point where millions died.

Megan Liu

1/7/2021 10:55:47 am

The power of photographs and smartphones have greatly impacted the present society. It can reveal many things, such as emotions, landscape, time and more. Every picture has a story behind it. For example, the image above shows how people were treated harshly and had to work under harsh conditions. The picture also shows the emotions the people held. Pictures like this are valuable because it is used as proof to show it actually happened. The European imperialism in Africa is just as bad as slavery. No one should be forced to work under harsh conditions, or be forced to change their religion. Humans have emotions and feelings and should never be treated as someone's property or object.

Serina Li

1/7/2021 10:59:00 am

The power of pictures and or images have big effects on many things. Crime related, story telling, human history, or to capture something that was once lost, there are many things a single picture can hold. The use of smart phones today is mainly for intertainment but that doesn't mean it can't be used for uncovering something horrible. People may not realize it but whatever you record and put on the internet stays in the internet. It can be used against or for you, depending on the matter. Images about the congo shows how terrible it was for the Africans. My thoughts of this saddens and angers me because this is how the Europeans opperate to those who are a lesser being. The European imperialism in Africa was a poorly done opperation. It was basically slavery all over again.

Sean Liang

1/7/2021 11:05:56 am

Photographs are... useful. They can help retain visual information, be used for entertainment, or used to gather new information more reliably than other methods of creating visual representations. Of course, photos can also be edited and fabricated, so there is some debate as to how useful a picture can actually be. In present society, photos can be used as evidence of the existence of a certain occurrence, which is important when gathering information for a criminal case. This does not include fabricated photography, of course.
The photos taken of the Congo's people is of course disturbing, innocent people do not deserve to be treated that way. Imperialism is also not exactly the best form of expansion. While it may be at some point necessary to use military force to expand, the way the innocents of the place are treated are not exactly what would be considered ideal. In the case of the Congo, I cannot say that the Belgians did too good of a job, though that's according to the standards of a different era.
I also cannot say that the way that imperialism was practiced in Africa when the Europeans decided to drop in was exactly excusable either. The motives driving the European's scramble was understandable, but that doesn't exactly justify the action. I'm not saying I think they were right to capture territories, I'm saying I understand why they'd feel the urge to grab some extra stuff to use.

Anthony Avitia

1/8/2021 09:43:09 am

Now a day I fell like technology has improved tremendously and we are able to do a lot more things on the internet. The photos taken of the Congo's people is of course disturbing, innocent people do not deserve to be treated that way. Imperialism is also not exactly the best form of expansion. While it may be at some point necessary to use military force to expand, the way the innocents of the place are treated are not exactly what would be considered ideal. In the case of the Congo, I cannot say that the Belgians did too good of a job, though that's according to the standards of a different era.

Alexis Ramirez

1/8/2021 10:23:53 am

Photography can enlighten us on the truth of certain matters. Today with smartphones, it’s easier than ever to quickly take of photo or video of an event. For example, in recent times people have taken photos and videos of police brutality exposing how corrupt the system is. The photos of Congo show the horrors and how far European countries were willing to go back in the days to gain power. Many of them never saw the grandness of the situation they caused because they only saw it as ways to get money and power. I would hope these images would change people’s mind. The imperialism in Africa is a disgusting and tragic.

Meric Samaco

1/8/2021 10:36:47 am

1. Discuss the power of photographs and smart phones in present society? What examples of injustices can they expose?

Photographs and smartphones in present society can expose many injustices, with not only photos, but now have the convenience of calling authorities to a location where these events are happening. Social media alone in today and age can cause and uproar to start movements and protests against discriminations and wrong doings.

2. What effect do these images have on your thoughts regarding
imperialism in Africa, specifically the Congo?

It's just horrible, how the Congolese were dealing with the Europeans in Africa. In the photo, it looks incredibly depressing there.

3. What are your thoughts on the European imperialism in Africa?
In my opinion, it's unfair for the Congolese and even more so the people of Africa. It must be terrorizing to be enslaved and worked under terrible conditions.

Zuying (Hannah) He He P1

1/9/2021 03:06:52 pm

1. Photographs and smartphones in present society have become something essential in our daily lives. They capture moments that reveal certain information. For example, simply glancing at a photo can display the situation. Often times, for us, we use the camera to take pictures of us having fun, selfies, etc. However, pictures can also leave traces of evidence regarding injustices. Some of these injustices include racism and chaotic events. Having photos of these can make it more memorable for everyone to remember. By inspecting a picture, you can see how one feels and what they are going through. This is the significance of a picture, its ability to reveal things we may not be aware of.
2. The photos shown of the Congolese really demonstrate how they were treated. It's just unfair and I am glad there are photos to prove that they were always treated unfairly and inhumanely. It's sickening to see what they have to go through. Imperialism in Africa destroyed their rights and culture overall.
3.In my opinion, the European imperialism in Africa can be understandable for their own benefits. However, it is still very unjust to the Congolese because they are innocent people being used. Their method of obtaining benefits from Africa is too cruel.

Jackson Chen

1/9/2021 04:24:13 pm

1. Discuss the power of photographs and smartphones in present society? What examples of injustices can they expose?
The power of photographs and smartphones in today's society explains the way people live. We are able to seize these moments and share them around the world. A picture of injustice moments in today’s society can cause uproar and disaster. However, a picture does not express the entire situation. There can be more to the meaning of a photograph. For example, during the summer of 2020, a video of unfair treatment of the colored caused an uproar in many cities. These photographs express more than what intend to do.
2. What effect do these images have on your thoughts regarding imperialism in Africa, specifically the Congo?
These pictures express the unlawful actions in Africa. It is terrifying to see how one suffers from these cruel and brutal actions. These people were innocent and did not deserve to be treated this way. The imperialism in Africa was mainly focused on expanding and had no sympathy for the workers.
3. What are your thoughts on European imperialism in Africa?
In my opinion, the European imperialism in Africa is disturbing. Although it was beneficial, the cruel beating is unnecessary.

Victoria Quintana

1/12/2021 08:37:53 pm

pictures and smartphones effect society deeply in the sense that they show more than words can describe. Through photos you can see a story, happy events or sad or even major moments in history. Photos can reveal the pain or torture a person has gone through and show evidence of how cruel a person is.
the photos show brutal the Europeans were and how they saw them as lesser human beings. They express the pain that they went through.
My thoughts about this is that the photos give us a much better understanding of the pain and torture these people went through and explains how poorly done imperialism was. If racism was put aside or not as strong as it was, today’s world would probably be better and could contain the discrimination we get today.

Jessica Arizmendi link

1/12/2021 10:10:36 pm

The power of photographs and smart phones today is huge. They can show different things that happen in our world in a matter of seconds. Smartphones literally consume us with all their entertainment, but also help us to see what's going on everywhere. It can expose the government and like what's been happening, police brutality. The photos of Congo just show a glimpse on how much pain and horror that the imperialisms in Africa gave people. It shows how inhumane some people can be, and how much hurt it brought people. It really shows you how it was back then during imperialism. It's just sad how these people worked as hard as they could and still millions died and got mutilated. Later on, thankfully, it was spread across the world to inform people about what was happening. But that doesn't take away how much these people could've gone through at this time. My thoughts on the European imperialism in Africa is that it was a really horrible and inhumane way to treat people. And for what, ...rubber?!

Zayda Vera

1/12/2021 10:24:25 pm

1. The power that photographs and smartphones have in present day is that they show things that words are not able to describe. They also reveal certain information that people might leave out. A photo can show when someone is being mistreated wrong but at the same time it can't show how it started and how long it has been going on for.
2. The photos show how people in the Congo were treated, and they weren't treated as human beings. Although, it was back then, but it does suck as why do innocent people have to get the worst of things. There could've been different ways to expand into Africa.
3. My thoughts are that they were unfair, and they didn't think about the people who lived there as human beings they just thought of the land they will win and how much "power" that will bring to them. I do understand it was beneficial but the way they treated people was not good.

Steven Samaniego

1/12/2021 10:30:26 pm

1. Photographs and smart phones allow us to view things from around the world that we wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. We can use photos and smartphones to help share information and give a glimpse into what is going on in the world. They can shed a light on the harsh reality that is going on in the world and at times prove wrong those who don’t believe what the photo is showing.
2. It makes me a feel a sense of sadness since I can only imagine what horror and suffering millions of people has to endure. It makes me a also feel a sense of hopefulness though that by seeing the horrors that really go on in the world, we can learn from it and avoid it from happening again.
3. My thoughts are though it may have helped to shape our world today, I wish it didn’t have to be the case because I feel it isn’t right to do some of the horrible acts that have been done to these people who did not deserve what happened to them.

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