Photo chills with irony

The Associated Press “human interest” photograph of Berlin, Germany’s, Holocaust memorial that appeared in the May 17 issue was – if viewed without historical and political perspective – graphically captivating; but, in reality, was full of chilling, inappropriate irony.

Not only was the activity in the photograph profane, the picture’s prominent element – a person, viewed directly from below, jumping from pillar to pillar with arms and legs spread and bent – eerily evokes a swastika.

The AP and the Bangor Daily News should be embarrassed and ashamed.

This image could have been appropriately used with an article regarding desecration of monuments, or society’s lack of collective memory regarding man’s brutality toward man; however, its use as “human interest” was inexcusable.

Robert Godfrey

Eastport