It seems counterintuitive that images meant to inspire empathy could end up feeling exploitative. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 15-year-old Fabienne Cherisma, killed by police gunfire, became a focal point for photographers who documented her death in an attempt to capture Haiti’s suffering. While the photos aimed to raise awareness, they risked turning Fabienne into a tragic symbol rather than honoring her as an individual. Far from keeping her memory alive, these images made the loss of her a public spectacle. A serviceable question emerged: Do such images truly help anyone, or do they simply blunt viewers to the actual, real human suffering?