Abu Ghraib Prison

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the atrocities associated with the once American controlled Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq have been represented visually through a series of oft repeated photographs taken by American guards at the prison. The author points out that these images are of frequently naked, hooded Iraqi prisoners being publicly shamed and tortured by America soldiers, often shown smiling and referring to the spectacle with what can only be described as glee. The paper states that these pictures have left a lasting mark on the face of the war and on the image of the United States all over the world.

From the Paper:

"Another issue associated with these grave deeds and their photographic record is the obvious and frequent utilization of nudity as a manner to debase prisoners. The guards are shown fully uniformed (in a show of power over the prisoners) while prisoners, except for the covering of their faces are debased in scenes of immorality completely incongruent with their faith and their pride, yet interestingly congruent with the world view (as it applies to Islam) as it relates to hatred of western freedoms, including the manner in which the west freely depicts nudity and objectifies the body."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Photographs obtained from metromix.com photo gallery and images from Ghosts of Abu Ghraib documentary.
• "The Army School of the Americas Serves a Useful Purpose." The Washington Times 21 Sept. 1999: 20.
• Eteraz, Ali "The Third Martyr" June, 03 2004 at: http://www.therevealer.org/archives/revealing_000391.php
• Hilton, Isabel. "Torture: who gives the orders?" May, 13 2004. at: http://www.opendemocracy.net/media-abu_ghraib/article_1904.jspKamiya, Gary. "Iraq: The unseen war: The grim reality of Iraq rarely appears in the American press." August 23, 2005 at:http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/08/23/iraq_gallery/index.html
• Kennedy, Rory. "The Ghosts Of Abu Ghraib" documentary HBO, 2005.Kiehl, Stephen. "Prosecutor calls guard sadistic in Abu Ghraib case: Army dog- handler on trial at Fort Meade" at: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/bal-te.abughraib24may24,1,1402745.story 2006.

More papers on Abu Ghraib Prison:

• Persuasive Essay # 103305 : "The Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal"
• Article Review # 135052 : "Abuse at Abu Ghraib"
• Analytical Essay # 110478 : "The Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq"

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