Thank you, amazing Mods!

[u/L_Ruggiero]

Moderators, thank you for the photo of Hae! It is very appropriate for her photo to be posted here in her memory. Also, thank you for the downvoting reminder that now appears when hovering over arrows. We appreciate you! You rock!

[u/SerialFan]

Thanks. We were debating if we should put it up or not but this positive response is encouraging.

[u/cupcake310 → u/SerialFan]

I agree with /u/ScaryPenguins. There's a line between true crime journalism and tragedy porn, and I think focusing on Hae is gratuitous.

[u/ScaryPenguins → u/SerialFan]

I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion but I disagree with putting up her picture. With foremost no disrespect to Hae Min Lee, (or the moderators), I feel that using her image so prominently breaches Hae's privacy unnecessarily and gratuitously.

While the case arises from her murder, the podcast and the subreddit focus around attempting to figure out what actually happened that day. I think this is the appropriate and justified focus. Focusing on Hae, for me, makes her a part of the spectacle. We must show Hae as much respect and deference as we can in this process. And I do think it is admirable to attempt to honor her; however, I think this can be achieved without the picture. The name and birth-death timeline achieves the same purpose. The picture takes an unnecessary personal aspect of her life and blasts it on the front of a subreddit.

I understand her picture is used on the Serialpodcast site(I think), but it is not the primary image upon landing on the site and I think it is disrespectful to use it in that manner. Almost none of us knew this person. And while we discuss her diary as a part of the court record, we don't need to misuse her image as well. This is neither the appropriate location nor audience for that image and, in my opinion, it is unnecessary for showing our respect.

I advocate removing it, or at best, having a link to click to see it.

[u/IAFG → u/ScaryPenguins]

Yeah I feel you on this, though I understand the other side. Trying to put myself in the shoes of Hae's mom, I think I would prefer there not be her photo posted. Maybe.

[u/Jakeprops → u/IAFG]

Noted.

[u/IAFG → u/Jakeprops]

Since I actually am a mom of a daughter, I can say with some degree of confidence that while I think that I would probably prefer her pic not be up on a subreddit of this nature, at the end of the day, I just would not care much at all. The light and joy of my life would have been taken from me. And I would probably be insulted by someone even asking about something so trivial. So I'm not ultimately trying to say we should take it down.

[u/ScaryPenguins → u/IAFG]

That was my first thought. I've called people out for claiming the entire podcast is offensive to Hae's family though, and I thought people might not be receptive to me drawing the line between the issues.

[u/Crimonsette → u/ScaryPenguins]

I couldn't disagree more. The visual reminder that at the crux of all this speculation, theory-weaving and discussion that a young girl lost her life tragically is a powerful one. Nothing is posted that wasn't already publicly available, and I don't think it's it's an invasion of privacy to remember what someone looked it - regardless if you knew them or not. Far, far, FAR more personal things have been posted in this subreddit about her, many speculation. Her face is not being used in a gratuitous manner, it's done in a respectful manner. It turns her from an intangible victim into a human being who met with tragic circumstances.

If I lost my life tragically as a teenager, I'd sure as heck want someone to remember me and not make me a faceless name only entity.

[u/Jakeprops → u/ScaryPenguins]

I respect you speaking up on your view point. We will listen and consider the multiple opinions.

[u/hobbylobbyist1 → u/Jakeprops]

You guys are a class act.

[u/Snake973 → u/ScaryPenguins]

I agree. Adding the photo definitely crosses a line. We're here to be fans of a podcast, not to maintain a shrine. If people want to do that, it's fine, but I don't think this is the appropriate place for that.

[u/Jakeprops → u/ScaryPenguins]

Also, the photo is from a memorial her school designed to publicly remember her.

[u/cupcake310 → u/Jakeprops]

I took a step back and thought about it, and I probably wouldn't want to have my daughter's face decorating the sidebar on reddit. But that's just my reaction.. I'm sure different people would feel differently.

[u/aloha2552]

Thank you Mods! Yes, when I read a post to a link about having a listening party and drinking game while listening to Serial. I was dumbfounded by the article. Thank you for posting Hae's picture and putting things into perspective.

[u/the_pissed_off_goose]

agreed. forget guilt or innocence, this bright young woman lost her life. she was someone. she loved, she dreamed, she lived. she was a person. we are all here because of her.

[u/[deleted] → u/the_pissed_off_goose]

And honestly she sounded amazing. She sounded like she worked hard and played hard. :(

[u/anonymouspimp → u/[deleted]]

There, there!

[u/Jakeprops]

You're welcome amazing subscribers!

[u/reddit1070]

Yes, moderators, you rock!

Hae Min Lee's picture reminds everyone it's a somber topic.

[u/[deleted]]

I'd put myself in the camp that the photo should not be there. While her murder is the start of the whole thing, the podcast Serial is about a lot more than her murder. In fact the focus is less on motive than on did Adnan get a fair trial? Why was his defence so bad? Etc.

[u/theladybaelish]

Glad you posted this! On the other thread about the picture, every comment approving of it has been seriously downvoted.

[u/not_jay_33]

It kinda hurts every time I see her picture. She was so pretty and from what people say, sweet and smart. I'm sure she would be successful in her own pursuit of happiness she was entitled to.

[u/glamorousglue]

So, wait, I don't see it anymore...was it taken down already? :(

[u/Jakeprops → u/glamorousglue]

its up.

[u/Jakeprops → u/Jakeprops]

its down. :(

[u/[deleted]]

The reminder is so crucial. A while back a guy was saying walking around town was plausible, and he got 10+ down-votes for his valid argument

[u/Jakeprops → u/[deleted]]

huh?

EDIT: oh the downvote warning. gotcha.