Lynsey Addario on Being Captured in Libya

After being one of four New York Times journalists seized in Libya, Lynsey Addario has posted an entry on the Times’ Lens blog about why it’s important for women to cover war – and why gender shouldn’t, and doesn’t, matter.

In talking about the reaction to their story being published, she says:

Some comments said: “How dare a woman go to a war zone?” and “How could The New York Times let a woman go to the war zone?”

To me, that’s grossly offensive. This is my life, and I make my own decisions.

She lays out an excellent argument for why women should cover the Muslim world and conflict, in general. Every individual brings a different perspective to the story, her’s is just as valid as anyone else’s.

She also tosses in this line that I love and will steal:

People think photography is about photographing. To me, it’s about relationships.