The Concept

Why Survivors' Truths?

Victimization is about hopelessness, helplessness, powerlessness, and disconnection from others. Those who survive horrible things have, indeed experienced victimization. However, they have also found ways to cope, to escape, to connect with others, to be courageous in the face of the inconceivable. This project seeks to draw out and emphasize the part of each person's story where they were able to find a way through difficult circumstances.

The First Project: Trying to be all right in Liberia

Using photographic portraits and audio interviews, this project shows how ordinary Liberians did extraordinary things to survive and escape the horrors of war.

From 1989 through 2003, during successive waves of brutal conflict,hundreds of thousands of Liberians were displaced, tortured, raped,murdered, and terrorized. Thousands were lost and others despaired.

Still, many—even in their darkest moments—kept trying and did amazing things to escape, to survive, and to help others. Survivors’ Truths makes space for a few of these voices, gives face to their stories, and celebrates the spirit of some of Liberia’s true heroes.

The phrase “trying to be all right” reflects the attitude of the most resilient ofthe survivors of Liberia’s very uncivil war. When you ask a Liberian how theyare doing, they will often respond “fine” or “all right.” This means that they are, indeed, all right. The other common response is “trying,” which means that the individual is not doing well. Sometimes, though, when asked how they are doing, a Liberian will respond “I am trying to be all right.”

This phrase poignantly captures healing and hope as an act of will. These individuals are not pretending that things are not difficult. Nor are they hopelessly mired in their losses. They are, with practical determination and psychological ingenuity, leveraging every ounce of their moxie to move forward, to rebuild their lives, to be truly “all right.”

  • The Liberia Project

    Using photographic portraits and audio interviews, this project shows how ordinary Liberians did extraordinary things to survive and escape the horrors of war. From 1989 through 2003, during successive waves of brutal conflict, hundreds of thousands of Liberians were displaced, tortured, raped, murdered, and terrorized. Thousands were lost and others despaired. Still, many—even in their darkest moments—kept trying and did amazing things to escape, to survive, and to help others. Survivors’ Truths makes space for a few of these voices, gives face to their stories, and celebrates the spirit of some of Liberia’s true heroes. The phrase “trying to be all right” reflects the attitude of the most resilient ofthe survivors of Liberia’s very uncivil war. When you ask a Liberian how theyare doing, they will often respond “fine” or “all right.” This means that they are, indeed, all right. The other common response is “trying,” which means that the individual is not doing well. Sometimes, though, when asked how they are doing, a Liberian will respond “I am trying to be all right.”This phrase poignantly captures healing and hope as an act of will. Theseindividuals are not pretending that things are not difficult. Nor are theyhopelessly mired in their losses. They are, with practical determination and psychological ingenuity, leveraging every ounce of their moxie to move forward, to rebuild their lives, to be truly “all right.”