By now you've surely heard: nearly 300 young women were abducted from their Northern Nigerian high school by members of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group. From folks on-the-ground in Nigeria to MIchelle Obama, people around the world are responding on social media--and beyond. (Check out our recommended reading below for more information!)
African Voices Respond
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wrote:
Teju Cole, another Nigerian author (and prolific tweeter) noted the following:
Now it's YOUR turn!
Power Poetry is a space for you to speak to your mind and express your opinions. So let us know: what do YOU think about #BringBackOurGirls? What does the situation mean to you and all of the women in your life? Why is education for girls important? And what would a world where EVERY GIRL had access look like? Is the media frenzy around #BringBackOurGirls fair? And how can we support the girls' families?
NOTE: As a gentle reminder, at Power Poetry we don't equate Islam with terrorism and we urge you to read one of our favorite poems: Color Me a Terrorist.
Resources and Recommended Reading
- Hundreds of African Girls Were Kidnapped and It Took U.S. Mainstream Media 3 Weeks to Properly Address the Issue by Kirsten West Savali at xoJane.
- #BringBackOurGirls: What Took the World So Long? by Kalamu ya Salaam at neo•griot.
- 276 Girls Were Kidnapped from School in Nigeria. Here’s Why #BringBackOurGirls Should Be Bigger Than #Kony2012 by Susannah Griffee at GoKicker.
- #Bringbackourgirls: How to Follow the Story by aoscruggs at alldigitocracy.
- Amazing! Watch How #BringBackOurGirls Spread on Twitter In Two Weeks by Adesola Ade-Unuigbe at FAB Magazine Online. Includes a video-map illustrating the Twitter campaign.
- #BringBackOurGirls Protests Continue As Tiwa Savage, Lami Phillips, Waje, Banky W & More Take To The Streets by Adesola Ade-Unuigbe at FAB Magazine Online. Coverage of some of the protests in Nigeria.
- Perspective on American coverage of #bringbackourgirls by atane on Tumblr.
