October 1, 2013

Retweet, Revolt! Hashtag, Abena!

"I think people in Sudan should stop protesting (in the chaotic way they did when the revolts first sprang up) because if this continues we'll just turn into another Somalia." She said "And seeing what happened with the other Arab countries, I don't think it's worth it."

"But we don't get to decide." I replied sourly. "I don't think they should stop, but I do think they should get organized. Also this is nothing like Somalia, what happened there was because no one had a common enemy, each group wanted to hold power over 'the other' and they fought about it for decades. WE, collectively want to be in power, as in a democracy... but what we want more is to live with dignity... Or should I say THEY..." I sighed, "Because realistically we have to sort of separate ourselves from the people in Sudan."

I had this conversation with my cousin early last week, when riots had flooded the country with destruction. During the early signs of revolt, when both private and public property were vandalized, most people were reluctant and fearful of what the future would hold for Sudan. We all felt something big was happening, but we were reluctant to call it a revolution yet... probably out of fear that we might jinx it like the last two times. Some are still reluctant to call it a revolution to this day; sure, these few share half a brain and/or wear military uniforms but we'll assume their voices count toward something, just for the sake of playing it even or whatever. Anyways, later that week, I spoke to my cousin again before I headed out to the demonstrations in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC. She asked me what good it would do and I got all defensive, despite the fact that I, too, was initially reluctant about the idea of a revolution. (Actually, had you asked me two weeks ago if I thought Sudan should revolt, I would have convinced you that it shouldn't. But that is a whole different story.)

On my way to the embassy, I told myself a number of lies to convince myself that I was serving the cause. I mean look at me, I am a great Sudanese citizen that hasn't forgotten her country or lost her identity despite being born a global nomad. (Seriously, where's my medal?) Tonight when I go to bed I can pat myself on the back for a job well done! It is not my fault that I can't put my life on the line for Sudan even though I really want to. "انما الاعمال بالنيات"(The value of deeds are in the intentions they are carried out with). Actually, so what if the people dying in Sudan don't know that some girl lost her voice in protest because she wanted to see a better Sudan, just like them. (If you know me at all you could probably guess this turned into a metaphoric existential discussion between me and an imagined voice of Sudan. No joke.) Anyways, by the end of the protest I felt uplifted, and as the crowd dispersed they rolled up their signs and went on living the lives they had just put on hold for a few hours.(another luxury people in Sudan could not afford. Damn us moghtarbeen and our luxurious life.) Of course we reassured ourselves by promising that this was not the end. The demonstrations would take place again, next week. The revolution would go on until victory was attained.

When I came home, my father (who, I think, was a little bitter since he couldn't join me because of a bad leg) sarcastically asked me "Aha, inshallah you brought down Al Basheer?" Of course I was infuriated beyond words. I simply stomped out of the room, but it is hard to say his words only sunk in skin deep. So for the next few days, my role as an expat(or the lack thereof) paranoid me. I kept thinking, if this revolution fails (yes, I used the F word. I'm sorry, bear with me) the expats would surely carry part of the blame. But when it succeeds, how many expats can rejoice and say "WE did it!" without feeling like they were free-riding off copyrighted efforts? Furthermore, I continuously asked myself "What the hell am I doing?"

The question soon turned into a more pressing one, "What could I do?" Tell people in college about it? Write a new poem? Preform it any time an open mic presented itself so people knew what was going on? Retweet informative tweets ending with #SudanRevolts/ابينا#? Would that be enough? Maybe I could write a new story that would raise awareness? The story of the martyrs! Yes, I would etch them into a living memory. But then how would I get their stories? Where do I start? What if their families don't have access to the internet? If only I was in Sudan... All roads lead back to Sudan... Sure, condescending such efforts is a bitter train of thought because we all know the great role social media sites played in the rise and fall of former dictators during the infamous Arab Spring. But realistically speaking, those means were put up on a pedestal because they helped organize the masses. Again I ask, what role did the expats play? Moral support?

As ridiculous as that may sound, I do think that the Sudanese diaspora is one of the leading exporters of moral support for those within Sudan. Which might seem of little value, but let us consider one ofthe sole reasons this revolt has gone on for so long. Dam Al Shuhada'! (The Martyrs' blood!) However which way we choose to look at it, the protests on the street are refueled by the anger of losing hundreds of our brothers, sisters, daughters and sons in a week, backed by the inconceivable thought of their blood ruining in vain. This thought, in essence, is just a form of moral support isn't it? So why is it that we undermine the moral support provided by tweeps and facebook-ers abroad?  Of course, the revolution feeds itself. Most of the government's vicious acts only pour into the nation's anger, and that tips over the Sudanese pot which has been boiling for decades with the bitter ingredients of bloodshed, civil wars, poverty, disease, and (dun dun daa) the rising number of expats and refugees. However, the whole of the revolution is really just a sum of its parts.

We expats, sadly, have very little physical influence on this revolution. My options are limited, and I know many members of the Sudanese diasporas in various countries share my frustration. We do play a tiny part, but it persists to be a part that must be played. All of us do not need to die, for Sudan to get better. In fact, none of us should die in this transition. (Besides various members of the Janjaweed and the NCP. I swear if air could speak it would say: stop wasting me and drop dead.) The country will definitely need people to build it back up when all this is over and done with, by then we can discuss physical contributions. For now, you should be content knowing that the faith we put into protestors on the street plays a part in the revolutions success. Knowing that the spotlight is on them, and an increasing number of people are watching their plight and praying for their success will hopefully strengthen their will and eliminate any possibility of backing down!

You might be familiar with my preferred style of blogging. I rarely state my opinions straight out because I prefer to present people with ideas to flavor as they like, and chew on at their convenience rather than giving you my thoughts condensed, to chug down or throw out. But on this specific issue, I could not think of a way to sugar coat it. If you think you're not contributing to the revolution every time you talk about it to a friend, or on a social media site, you're going about it the wrong way! There is a reason the government tried to bubble in news of the revolution by cutting off the internet. Everything counts! Just today I had a friend ask me about the demonstrations in DC, and whether the Americans knew what was going on. Did the world care? Yes the world cares, or at least the most important parts of it do. The little groups of Sudanese ambassadors called expats care, and we are proud of our nation for speaking up. We keep telling everyone who passes us by how proud we are, and they promise to keep you in their prayers. We will not give up on you, just don't give up on what's left of our homeland.

P.S.: There are other practical things you could do as well, such as collecting donations/donating for the treatment of people injured in protest. Also, if you have any access to the family/friends of a martyr(s), to whom I owe my deepest condolences, please contact me or help me get in touch with them. Thank you in advance!

No comments:

Post a Comment