The Story Behind the Anonymous Pulitzer

This is a photo taken by Iranian photojournalist Jahangir Razmi. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1980, the first Pulitzer Prize ever won by an “anonymous” contribution.

No one outside a close circle of people knew that Razmi took the photo because, if it became known, he would have been tortured and killed.

Only recently has he, who is the official photographer of the Iranian government, come forward and claimed the credit for taking the striking photo.

The Wall Street Journal tells his story and the story of the photograph today. It’s well worth the reading, not only because it is a fascinating story but because the men who ordered the executions in that photograph are running Iran today.

I wonder why Razmi felt safe enough to come forward this year? Was it because he believes that with his position and prominence he is relatively safe from any potential reprisal? Was it because he can see that the butchery his photographs portray no longer has the power to rouse the world against the men who made it happen?

Or was it maybe hope there there are still a few folks who recognize evil when they see it and are not afraid to call it by its true name?

I sincerely hope it’s the latter, but I fear it is probably not.

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Category: Cool Columnists and Wicked Writers, No More Tyrants