Yoko Ono: The Photo That Influenced Me Most

1 minute read
Civilians killed by the U.S. Army during a pursuit of a Vietcong militia, as per order of Lieut. William Calley Jr. It became known as the My Lai Massacre.
Civilians killed by the U.S. Army during a pursuit of a Vietcong militia, as per order of Lieut. William Calley Jr. It became known as the My Lai Massacre.Ronald L. Haeberle—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
By Yoko Ono

To celebrate the launch of TIME’s new multimedia project – 100 Photographs: The Most Influential Images of All Time – we asked leaders in a number of fields, from technology to the arts to business, to share the single photograph that most influenced their lives. Purchase the 100 Photographs book now.

The My Lai Massacre photo was the first photo which made me realize that our side killed civilian men, women and children all without reason. It changed my understanding of what the war was. How cruel. Why.

Yoko Ono is a multimedia artist and peace activist.

Civilians killed by the U.S. Army during a pursuit of a Vietcong militia, as per order of Lieut. William Calley Jr. It became known as the My Lai Massacre.
Civilians killed by the U.S. Army during a pursuit of a Vietcong militia, as per order of Lieut. William Calley Jr. It became known as the My Lai Massacre. Ronald L. Haeberle—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

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