I got a video-linked chain mail message...

on my Facebook page the other day. As I get quite a few of these, I don't usually browse them until a few days later or when I have "nothing else" to do.

This one, however, got me sad and a little bit annoyed at the same time.

Most of us who have the internet or watch news on TV will probably know about this story, but I want to relate my thoughts on it. They are, as usual, my personal thoughts so don't take offense...make up your own opinions rather.

This is the text that goes around with the video:

"First, please be self-prepared for the following video..
It's really sad about the fact that...the world is unfair..
The last photo of the vid shows that an eagle was waiting for the child to die so it can eat his meat... this photo was awarded for the Pulitzer in 1994... It's taken by a photographer, Kevin Carter, who died of depression after 3 months from taking this photo... The most important message is: Help those whos in need...We should be grateful that we're the lucky ones... Dont waste any food and water anymore... PLEASE SPREAD THIS OUT AND PRAY..PRAY FOR THOSE WHOSE IN NEED..!"

Here is the video that accompanies the above text:

Yes, it is sad, but I want to correct a few misconceptions created by the author (knowingly or not, I'll never know).

Firstly, The "eagle" in the video is actually a vulture. Eagles seldom eat dead flesh and will preferably kill their own prey. Vultures, on the other hand, will seldom kill their prey but will wait patiently while it dies.
Secondly, Kevin Carter (South African journalist who took the photos) did not die of depression. He actually committed suicide by gassing himself in his own car. The reasons for committing suicide may have been brought on by depression, but that did not kill him.
Thirdly, and this is my own belief, prayer will not help but if that's the way you do things don't let me stop you. The only way things get done, or rectified, is if the human beings in the disastrous situation manage to help themselves, or other human beings in a position to help, actually do. Ultimately though, prayer will achieve nothing except help the person praying feel better about him/herself. It certainly won't create a better frame of mind in a life-threateningly hungry child.

In case you're interested in reading more about Kevin Carter, here's a link to a very comprehensive article. Perhaps some of you remember that there was a song written about him too, by the Manic Street Preachers?

Hi Time Magazine
Hi Pulitzer Prize
Tribal scars in Technicolor
Bang bang club AK 47 hour

Kevin Carter

Hi Time Magazine
Hi Pulitzer Prize
Vulture stalked white piped lie forever
Wasted your life in black and white

Kevin Carter x3

The elephant is so ugly he sleeps his head
Machetes his bed Kevin Carter Kaffir lover forever
Click click click click click
Click himself under

Kevin Carter x3