Overexposed to Poverty

Narrative Essay # 107296

Expresses the author's thoughts about poverty, stimulated by her visit to see the "Visual Griots of Mali" photo exhibition in a Brooklyn museum.

1,985 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper presents the writer's response to "Visual Griots of Mali", a photographic exhibit,featuring raw pictures of a naked woman who has just given birth and is sitting in the pool of blood from the delivery. The writer relates that, after living for some time in New York City and witnessing poverty, overexposure has stripped her of her original interest in others and replaced it with apathy as she became too selfish to care. The writer then describes an incident in China where a taxi driver expressed similar feelings of being overexposed to poverty.

From the Paper:

"Unconsciously I spoke to the little girl in English, meaning she couldn't have understood my words. But, she understood me because there was an undeniable connection-- indescribable and unfamiliar to words. I felt it when I accidentally touched her hand and later made eye contact with her. Her eyes spoke for her. I saw something in them that pulled me in and stirred my emotions.
"My thoughts become suddenly interrupted by the taxi driver's remarks, "People always beg for food or money in this city. Just ignore them like everyone else.""

Sample of Sources Used:

Djaranou. Untitled. The Visual Griots of Mali, Damy Village.
Dr. Celes, John. "The Magic of Poverty." Poems by Dr. John Celes. September, 14, 2002. Poem Hunter. 9/18/2007. http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-the-magic-of-poverty/