What really Happened essays

What really Happened essays When someone views this picture for the first time there is usually a feeling of shock at what they see. This feeling is clearly understandable if you are just shown the picture by itself with no caption or background information. It is the lack of facts and truths that have caused this very photograph to be the center of so much controversy and debate. When this photo was taken from a video clip filmed at the bombing of Trang Bang in June of 1972 the correct version of the story was reported. Since then and in other journalist's stories the truth has become distorted over time and this photo has become an icon for the anti-war movement. Although this photo actually had very little impact on the decision to withdrawal troops and end our campaign in Vietnam it has had a profound impact on the American and Vietnamese public. This photograph was taken in June of 1972 by Nick Ut outside the small city of Trang Bang. The small girl with her clothes burned from her body shown running away from the ruin was Kim Phuc. The soldiers seen in the background are Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers. The fires in the background is napalm burning. These elements by themselves simply show a small moment in time captured on film. This moment frozen in time displays all the terrors and what is wrong with war. If we add into this mix irresponsible reporting with a public opinion already geared in the direction that our involvement in Vietnam was wrong we have a dangerous mix. What this dangerous mix has evolved into today is a gigantic misconception of what really happened in this frozen moment of time. This photograph not only has effected the American public it has also been used as propaganda against the South Vietnamese government. There have been many myths about this one specific photograph, some are understandable and some have been out right lies or media grabbers getting their moment in the spotlight. As reporters covere...