Split Screen Summer

Catching up on my latest work -- and announcing a forthcoming series by young writers with fresh perspectives

Hello Split Screen fam,

I recently learned that my pieces from The Contrarian aren’t automatically emailed to my subscribers – sorry! I’d love to catch you up on my latest work, as well as introduce an exciting summer writing collaboration.

In March, I reflected on the visuals from mainstream media coverage of the Epstein survivors – and predators. The difference is shocking. I don’t know all the answers, but we need to keep asking questions of ourselves and these images.

“I’m struggling with where the line is between evidence and propaganda. We need these photos to prove the connections, to show the scope and context of the circles Epstein and his associates moved in, to show how young and vulnerable these women were, and to broadcast their bravery. But I want to see Epstein, a predator, depicted as such — and his associates, some of whom at least knew of his criminality, not shown exclusively as the powerful people they are. And I want to see the survivors’ courage, their bravery, and their full identities. I want to see them speaking truth to power, and I want to see them get justice. Because if they can fight for decades against some of the most powerful people in the world and hold them accountable, every image of them shown in their full power can give us hope, and power, too.”

During a shoot in Rome, I found myself drawn to the images of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – a politician who has long fascinated me. She is a female head of state who rejects feminism. Should I defend her? Read the full piece here.

“Meloni may not want to acknowledge how many feminists built the stairs she climbed to smash the highest glass ceiling in Italian politics, but that doesn’t mean that a generation of girls — and kids of all genders — isn’t now growing up with the reality that a strong woman stands behind the prime minister’s podium.”

I’ve continued to write about the Trump Administration’s religious imagery overreach (wait till you see The Atlantic cover photo of RFK Jr.), the America 250 Christian nationalist plan, and how the government is selling us on the war with Iran using images.

Coming soon: Split Screen guest writers! I’m so thrilled to announce that we’ll have three rotating guest writers with fresh perspectives on how images of women shape our understanding of our dignity and authority. Writing about images – in addition to the camerawork I do as my day job – has filled me with purpose, using my words as an educational tool against the fascist, patriarchal image norms of our country.

But getting to work with the next generation of journalists? Pinch me. The expanded Split Screen team is coming to your inbox later this week.

Azza

PS - As always, reach out with your tips and ideas! Some of my favorite pieces have come from images sent to me by readers.