No Borders: A Voice For the Voiceless
This has been a tumultuous year for everyone. From the corona virus pandemic to the continued racial injustices against the Black community in the US and a never ending political circus with the latest election, it may seem like our plates are too full to worry about anything else happening around the world. However, we must recognize the privilege in thinking that way. In reality, we live in the world. Borders have us thinking that what happens in a different state, country or continent doesn’t concern us. It DOES. This is the year to shed the ‘border mentality’ and take a keen eye and ears as to what’s happening around the world. We are citizens of the world and should be looking out for each other, especially the most oppressed.
The world is so divided over politics, that it’s often times difficult to properly weigh in on the atrocities happening around the world. The resounding question is always: when will we put people over politics? Does humanity ever have a fighting chance? In the last few months we have seen hashtags and viral posts surrounding the Armenian and Azerbaijan conflict, #EndSARS and police brutality in Nigeria and most recently the conflict in Ethiopia with the Tigray people under attack. Choosing sides is complicated and creates more division so how can we as diasporans help? The answer is empathy and a call for peace and unity. Below read three letters to the diaspora from three women: Odette Claridge, Ribicca Mamuye and TONL Co-Founder, Karen Okonkwo who are each impacted by what’s going on in Armenia, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Learn more about the conflicts happening and how you can help.
What's Happening in Armenia?
Synposis: Armenia and Azerbaijan are in a geopolitical conflict over territory that is currently occupied by Armenian separatists and some Azerbaijan inhabitants. Azerbaijan is claiming that this land (called Nagorno-Karabakh) belongs to them (although in 1994 through the help of Russian intervention a ceasefire came into play after a fight over this land took place in the 80s and 90s killing thousands of people and displacing over a million Armenians). In July of 2020 there were clashes again amongst the two groups killing many civilians. The people of Azerbaijan started protesting that the land should come into their full possession. Both sides are blaming each other for causing disturbance of peace.
“I'm sad because I feel so privileged to be an Armenian born in the US and living here while the Armenians there are in this war torn region just based on birth location, you know? Armenia is the only predominantly-Christian in the Middle East so it’s always had a hard time being surrounded by the Islamic countries. It's sad that no other Christian country wants to help us because there's no oil or any benefit to them. There's many military and oil relationships with Turkey and Azerbaijan because of their location and resources that Armenia just doesn't have.
So this week the Armenian PM signed an agreement with Russia and now Armenians have to leave some areas they were fighting for. There's been riots in Yerevan (the capital) and breaking into the buildings by protestors saying we shouldn't have made that agreement. But, in my opinion it's better for us to be united then fighting between ourselves now.
It's this "inch by inch" type of take over that makes me think Armenia may not be a country if things keep going this way in our lifetime. The size of Armenia before the genocide in 1915 was double, almost triple what it is today and it’s continuing to get smaller and smaller.
We do have people from the diaspora going there to volunteer providing medical aid. My cousin is also working with a group providing mental health services for women, children and men who have PTSD from seeing their families killed or homes destroyed. Because of the corona virus, it's a large time commitment (avg 45 days) to do something like that. If people can’t go then we are asking for donations to Armenia Fund or even just spreading awareness via social media because there is so much anti Armenia information coming from Azerbaijan and Turkey. There are also companies and private sellers making stuff and donating all proceeds to Armenia fund so that's another way to donate. I actually met a half black, half Armenian girl through this entire situation that's selling jewelry and donating the proceeds. It's been very sad but also amazing to see so many Armenians from all over being so united.” -Odette Claridge, 1st-generation Armenian
What's Happening in Ethiopia?
Synposis: On Nov. 4, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered the Army to attack the people of the Tigray region over accusations of its leaders allegedly attacking a government defense post and attempting to steal military equipment. Hundreds are dead as the conflict continues to worsen. Abiy Ahmed has issued a six-month state of emergency on the Tigray region while subsequently disconnecting telephone and internet lines and dismantling the current legislature while also putting in place a transient replacement. Ethiopia stands on the brink of a civil war
“Our politics is beyond complicated. We come from households made of different tribes , religions and a number of differences. Some of us maybe from families that have survived political prosecution, some of us have buried our families that have paid the price with their lives, some of us may be beneficiaries of regimes that have oppressed and called for the extinction of others.
Regardless of where you stand on the issues back home, please consider the innocent people that will pay the price of civil wars with their lives. Please consider the other ethnic groups back home that are on the brink of extinction and can’t afford to be caught in the crossfires. Please consider the children growing up without mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, and grandparents.
Those of us living in western countries have many privileges people back home currently don’t. If you have access to the internet, if you are not worried about where your next meal is coming from and are currently not under direct threat, you have the privilege that most people back home have never had. So please choose your words wisely. Be the voice for the voiceless! Exercise your freedom but please, stop calling for war.
War costs the lives of innocent people, it turns families against each other and it transcends for generations to come in trauma. We can’t afford war. The tribes on the brink of extinction can’t afford war. Please think of the innocent. Please.”- Ribicca Mamuye, 1st-generation Ethiopian
Sign this petition to call for an end to this conflict!
What's Happening in Nigeria?
Synposis: Widespread protests erupted in early October 2020 in Nigeria after a graphic video surfaced of SARS (the Nigerian Special Anti-Robbery Squad) was seen murdering a young man. SARS was established in 1992 as an arm of the Nigerian Police Force to combat the growing crime in the country. Instead, this arm of the Nigerian Police Force has extorted, tortured, raped, abused, assaulted and robbed Nigerian people, particularly the youth. Calls for SARS to be dismantled in the past had fell on deaf ears so this particular video was the catalyst to protests across the country calling for a complete dismantle of this unit and justice for SARS members who have committed unjust crimes. Protests carried on when news came back that SARS would be reorganized which still gave way to more corruption along with impunity. As the peaceful protests carried on, the Nigerian government turned on its citizens in what is now known as the Lekki Massacre on October 20, 2020. The army was deployed where they attacked peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate and beyond. Hundreds are dead and injured as a result of this tragedy. The government has denied these actions till this day and further retaliated by shutting off electricity and access to the internet, among other things.
“As a Nigerian-American dual citizen, reflecting on what’s happening in Nigeria, it makes me sad knowing that the corruption and violence that has plagued Nigeria is now taking a necessary global stage. Where in life did we as a nation stop believing in the sanctity of life? Why has greed, power and envy rotted the Nigerian government for 60 years with no change. I’m grateful for this generation. Youth and young adults who will not take it anymore. These are people trying to survive, who have families and friends that they want to return to - to laugh and love on. To play with. Instead, they are met with aggression, violence, extortion, rape and murder by people who are supposed to be protectors. Sounds familiar, right? Diasporans: it’s time to apply pressure. Please write to Nigerian embassies in the US to express your disgust in the abuse of power under a Buhari government. The Nigerian government needs to know that we will not stand for this misuse of power any longer. Continue to spread the hashtag #EndSARS to amplify what is still going on in Nigeria. Stay close to the leaders rising up to make a better Nigeria. Support their efforts financially. I want to be able to go home and walk the streets of Nigeria without the fear of encountering these levels of unjust opposition.” - Karen Okonkwo, 1st-generation Nigerian