Atlas

later that night
I held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered
where does it hurt?

it answered
everywhere
everywhere
everywhere.

- warsan shire


As an International Studies major, investing in the world around me as a global citizen has always been a no-brainer.

It started in Rwanda.

The day after my high school graduation, for the first time in my life I boarded a plane and opened my eyes. The “Land of a Thousand Hills” introduced me to a world outside of my own. And I don’t mean that in the cliche, ditzy, problematic way— but I mean it in a genuine way.

Every now and then I go back to reread the journal I kept during that time to document getting an intimate understanding of the Rwandan Genocide, learning about the positive impacts of women’s economic empowerment and fellowship in Kigali through F&C, expanding my knowledge on special education in Musanze, and tasting my first authentic sip of coffee in Cyimbili.

And when I got home, I knew I got bit by the bug.

Not the bug of just traveling, but of connecting with people, history, and culture. Finding the similarities and differences between my daily routine and someone else’s. Exchanging stories with someone I might not ever see again but whose philosophy and wisdom would stay with me forever.

This bug led me to China and Ghana, an internship with Inclusive Development International, and an insatiable appetite for foriegn policy, global social movemnets, and making the world a better place through protecting and advocating for the human rights we all deserve.

I have never thought of America as a country better than any other but as a part of a whole, even if we are execptional.

I don’t see my existence as being in competition with anyone across a border or ocean but as an equal partner in ensuring that there is an Earth to pass down after some of us pass on.

I love staying connected to the news around the world because my livelihood is tied to others.

I have long stressed the importance of global connectedness— we cannot reap the ‘benefits’ of globalization and yet stay silent on the harms and injustices of others. Because today it might be one group of people and tomorrow it might be me or you. Today one nation is falling apart, but next week, it might be ours.

I know a key part to many of us in the space of activism is social media. And for good reason. In 2011, otherwise known as “The Year of the Protestor”, social media brought awareness to movements around the world, in a way we never witnessed before.

But our commitment to action can’t stop at posting infographics or slacktivism. Online activism has its space— at a time when there is still a deadly pandemic and when someone might be financially strapped— participating online can help people feel like they are a part of amplifying the voices of others.

It is also important to remember, it is a privilege to simply educate rather than experiencing the harm itself in your day to day. I can sometimes fall short of this, as my training in International Studies is academic first and foremost.

Yet there are lots of ways for us to use our voice-like giving to Civil Society Organizations or contacting your congressperson (this is big!!! if politicians don’t hear that their constituents care about foreign affairs, they might be less likely to push back on the President’s actions).

I’ll add this beautiful reminder from chiara francesca

our stories are woven
our struggles connected
...
our stories are stronger when quilted together

our stories are more complete when they are linked to each other

our stories are told more fully when they are part of a collective narrative
...
linked constellations taking shape,
as we connect the dots of our experiences and struggles
...
from Palestine to Colombia

from India to our own neighborhoods and cities
.
WE MOVE TOWARD JUSTICE
...
don't lose heart, dear ones
cause when we remember our connections
there is no stopping us

From Palestine to Ethiopia, from the DRC to Colombia and so many places in between—- here are the stories I have been following, the resources I have been engaging with, the petitions I have been signing, and so much more.

Colombia

An excerpt from an article by Aljazeera News:

“Tens of thousands of protesters answered the call of Colombia’s biggest unions to take to the streets over the government’s proposed tax proposals despite a court order to postpone the strike over concerns of an overstretched health system amid a third wave of coronavirus.

Teachers, university students, trade unions, Afro-Colombian and Indigenous groups and many others took part in the protests on Wednesday against tax changes put forward by right-wing President Ivan Duque’s government.

The government has proposed an array of new or expanded taxes on citizens and business owners and also to reduce or eliminate many tax exemptions, such as those on product sales, to help boost an economy severely affected by COVID-19.

But many working- and middle-class people worry the new proposals will hit them too hard.”

While the proposal has been withdrawn, the proposal itself has not changed to meet the needs of Colombian citizens. The protests have been going on for about 3-4 weeks now. Rather than reaching his citizens through discussion, voting, or participatory policymaking, President Duque’s response has been to release a brutal crackdown through maximum police presence which has resulted in people losing their lives. The protests have taken shape to amplify a myriad of concerns from the rise of poverty and inequality amidst the pandemic to police brutality- and more than ever, Colombians need us to stand in solidarity and amplify their concerns.

Keep reading:

Colombia mass demonstrations ‘reflect a deep national crisis’ | Aljazeera

The Colombian protests reflect a deep legitimacy crisis | Aljazeera

UN rights office condemns Colombia crackdown on protests | Aljazeera

Why Are Colombians Protesting? | The New York Times

From Solidarity Rallies to Donations, Here’s How You Can Support Colombian Protesters Right Now | Remezcla

Afghanistan

Given that President Biden has stated that he will be pulling all troops out of Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, there has been an increased worry that terrorists in the region will take advantage of vulnerable communities without the U.S’s presence. And that could not be any more true, given the recent deaths and threats of women and girls in the country.

Keep Reading/Engaging:

Belarus

An excerpt by an article in NPR:

“Authorities in Belarus ordered a Ryanair flight to make an emergency landing in the capital city of Minsk, after reports that a bomb was on board the aircraft. Officials then boarded the plane and arrested Roman Protasevich, the former editor and founder of an opposition blog and social media channel.

No explosives were found on the plane.

………The act has drawn condemnation from European leaders, demanding an explanation. Lithuania's president said the Belarusian "regime is behind the abhorrent action" and called on NATO and the European Union to respond, while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, "We demand all passengers' immediate release." Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called the incident a "hijacking" and called for immediate sanctions on Belarus.”


Keep Reading:

To Support Belarus’ Opposition, the West Needs to Get Creative | World Politics Review

Belarus KGB believed to be on plane forced to land in Minsk, says Ryanair CEO | The Guardian

Belarus: Free journalist detained following forced emergency landing in Minsk | Amnesty International

Urgent Action!

3 Reasons Why The Arrest Of A Journalist By Belarus Is Troubling | NPR

THE DRC

An excerpt from CNN:

“At least 31 people have died and hundreds of children were feared missing or separated from their families Monday after Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the weekend.

Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya confirmed the updated death toll in a statement Monday, adding it would probably rise as first responders are still searching for people.

Nine people died in a car accident as they tried to flee, four people died while trying to escape a prison and two people died from burns, Muyaya said in an earlier statement on Sunday.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that children were lost amid the chaos as residents fled the nearby city of Goma on Saturday. More than 150 children have been separated from their families and more than 170 children are feared to be missing, the agency said.”

Keep Reading:

DR Congo: More than 170 children feared missing following volcanic eruption in Goma | UN News

Children and families at risk following huge volcano eruption in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, warns UNICEF | UNICEF

UNHCR rushing to help displaced after volcano eruption in DR Congo | UNHCR

Congo volcano leaves death and smoking wreckage, but major city spared | Reuters

Ethiopia

Since last year news has sparked about violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. An excerpt from the NPR:

“For months, a conflict in Ethiopia between the government in Addis Ababa and a defiant region has cost thousands of lives and displaced at least a million people.

Despite the increasing brutality of the conflict in Tigray, until now, it has been largely overlooked by the outside world. But attention and concern is growing with news of alleged atrocities and a worsening refugee crisis.”

Keep Reading/Engaging:

United States’ Actions To Press for the Resolution of the Crisis in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia | U.S State Department

9 Things To Know About The Unfolding Crisis In Ethiopia's Tigray Region | NPR

Interview: Uncovering Crimes Committed in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region | Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia: Eritrean Forces Massacre Tigray Civilians | Human Rights Watch

UN Security Council Needs to Act on Ethiopia’s Tigray Region | Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia’s Axum Findings Ignore Massacre of Civilians | Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia: Tepid international response to Tigray conflict fuels horrific violations over past six months | Amnesty International

What stories are you following and how are you showing up for your international community??

cover image by https://unsplash.com/@coleito

Act It Outelina morrisonComment