Portrait of Susan

In November 2006, a female journalist conducted the first "jailhouse" interview with Lynndie England (of Abu Ghraib fame) and published it in Marie Clare. The popular women's magazine seemed an unlikely venue, considering it's usual mix of beauty tips and career girl profiles.

The issue proved to be a treasure trove of propaganda. Framing Lynndie's story of "how it all started with falling for the wrong man" are features on the militarization of women's fashion, the 'Oprah-ization' of Arab television, vignettes of forlorn yet dutiful army wives decked out in designer couture, and more. In total: a sophisticated presentation of female victimization as a cynical strategy to enlist women's support of war.

I have edited and rearranged the content of the magazine, applying a "Sontagian" methodology—a different sort of female gaze—to rethink and reflect on this war.