Purple Hearts: Back from Iraq

The Columbia University School of Social Work, the Open Society Institute, and the New York Foundation for the Arts hosted "Purple Hearts: Back from Iraq," part of the "Photography as Advocacy" Forum Series.

At a time when the daily realities of war are obscured, Purple Hearts—a series of portraits and interviews with American soldiers wounded in Iraq—provides an understanding of the human cost of war through the experience of wounded veterans. The work reminds communities of the physical and psychological problems endured by returning veterans, and provides young people considering military service a sober understanding of the realities of war.

Writer Julie Winokur moderated a discussion with:

• Nina Berman, photographer and author of Purple Hearts: Back from Iraq
• Tod Ensign, attorney and director of Citizen Soldier

Amy Yenkin, director of the OSI Documentary Photography Project, introduced the event.

Purple Hearts: Back from Iraq is part of the ongoing Photography as Advocacy forum series, which explores how photography can be used to shape public policy and perception and to effect social change.

Location

Columbia University School of Social Work
1255 Amsterdam Avenue (between 121st and 122nd Streets)
Concourse Level, Room C03

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