Cacophony and Murmurs

A ninth grade literary magazine

The class of 2019 has created a special edition of Cacophony and Murmurs.

This year, our reading of Elie Wiesel’s Night collided with an extra-curricular pinwheel project that raised money for Syrian refugees. The ninth grade students, noticing that the plight of the refugees has many similarities with those of the Holocaust victims, wanted to take a closer look at this kind of human tragedy.

So, enclosed you will find a timeline of sorts. It begins with WWII and points out human rights atrocities from there to the present day. Some of the murmurings are informational essays, some are biographies of notable people, and some (and perhaps the most moving) are creative works inspired by the students’ research.

We hope you enjoy what you read. But what’s more, we hope you are moved.

If you’d like to lend a helping hand, we recommend making a donation to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) at www.rescue.org.

1939-1945: The Holocaust

1941-1945: U.S. Involvement in WW2- Japanese POW camps

1960s: U.S. Civil Rights Movement

1948-1994: Apartheid in S. Africa

1975-1979: Khmer Rouge in Cambodia

1994: Genocide in Rwanda

2011- now : Syrian Civil War

2016: Genocide in S. Sudan

Terezin Poems By Cristina Heisecke, Marion Huth, Jacob Munch, & Bella Tisdale

Everything Changed

The pictures were of color, of light and love and more

The brushes danced on canvas. The music made us soar.

The stages portrayed stories To tell the tale of glories

The Teachers were our preachers We were very joyous creatures Overnight everything changed

Something turned everything plain People went and never came back The light, the love, we did lack

Each day, each night it was the same Until the red men to the town they came From that day on we frowned in shame

Our name was then forever lame Soon after our homes were taken

They made us work until our backs were achen The world couldn't hear our cries The light fled from our eyes

No longer could we sleep at night We were to scared to fight

All we had was our dying talents Our passions kept our humanity in balance

The pictures had no color The light and love was no more The brushes dragged on canvas

The music became a bore The stage portrayed stories

But they were no longer tales of glories The teachers were our preachers But we were silent creatures

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Painful Memories

Silence wafted through the camp There was not one footstep to be heard

Millions of shining stars in the sky began to fade Darkness crept through the empty cells and the souls that remained

There was no more happiness to be made Faces of the innocents were carved with fear

Heavy smoke filled the air The smell of burning flesh was near

Together we laid in a tortured tight place Separated from the world Because of the human race

Our bodies ached and tears were drawn from our eyes Death was upon us And no one realized

We were ripped away from our families To be put in disguised In a place of terror

Where humans were no longer categorized ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Our Inspiration Her voice was soft and kind

Her words enchanted the ears of many

Her eyes sparkled and shined In the light of February

She filled us with knowledge And wisdom as she spoke As we sat there hostage Underneath a false cloak

She taught us all sorts of subjects Which gave us hope of a new life

And wanting to know what was going to happen next She drifted us away from the strife

Her kindness and gentleness made us feel warm And her lessons made us feel smart

They made us transform And were all from the heart She helped us feel special And always made our day Even though she could tell

Our minds always wandered away Through thick and thin she was always there

Our wonderful teacher, Ms. Claire. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

The Visit One day, these people came

To see if the camp was peaceful and tame. The days before,

The Nazis made sure To get rid of the slime

And make the camp look divine.

Since we were people that lived there each day, we knew what was truly happening in that fray,

And knew that it wasn’t being portrayed

The accurate way.

The Nazis forced us to act happy Or else they would get snappy

And if they did, they would take us to a place Where there would then be no trace.

Once the “good” people said goodbye, And left us to our miserable state,

We wanted to cry, As our lives returned to be even less great.

Jews Resist Nazi Control

By Robert Carotenuto, Lauren Gamache, and Adam Puntin

After WWI, when Germany was left in ruin, the notorious German, Adolf Hitler had

moved into power. Once in power, "his first objective was to consolidate power and to eliminate

political opposition" (“Holocaust”). Hitler and his followers, also known as Nazis, had one

unified goal which was to find the “perfect” human or Aryan race. This “perfection” did not

include: Jews, Muslims, and also people with defects or disease, etc. The Nazis solution was to

completely get rid of the Jews and the other people who were “imperfections”. In pursuit of this,

the Nazis began by boycotting Jewish businesses (Holocaust). As terrible treatment continued,

the Germans decided to make legal the definition of a Jew (Holocaust). The chosen definition

was, "Jews—those with at least three Jewish grandparents—and Mischlinge (“mongrels,” or

“mixed breeds”)—people with one or two Jewish grandparents." (“Holocaust”). This classified

Jews based on their hereditary, instead of how they identified in terms of religion. Responding to

this, the Jews tried defend their rights as people of their country, Germans (“Holocaust”).

Unfortunately, the Jews were unsuccessful and the Germans’ cruelty continued to increase.

However this time, the Germans began rounding up people and slowly began to move Jews

around or into new homes and towns called ghettos, which were exclusively for Jews

(“Holocaust”). Nazis were trying to separate the Jews from the rest of the world…

During World War II, the Nazis were extremely prejudice towards the Jewish people.

From putting them in camps and working them to death all the way to forcing the Jews to live in

ghettos, tiny portions of cities separated from the rest, the Nazis abused the Jews. But the Jews

didn’t always let the Nazis push them around; they also resisted.They had secret groups trying to

escape, and some people led movements trying to free the Jews. Some of the reasons the Jews

resisted were that they wanted vengeance for the Jews who had already been killed, they wanted

to honor past generations and prove to the future generations their couragesness ("Resistance,

Jewish"). Many of the resisting Jews believed that, if more of the Jews fought, then more of the

Jewish population could have lived. Whereas scholars believe that fighting back would have

caused more Jews to die ("Resistance, Jewish").

Many Jews resisted differently, including plotting, rescuing and escaping. "In addition to

the partisan fighting units, in many places Family Camps in the Forests were created for those

Jews who had reached the partisans but could not fight; these camps were protected by the

fighters" ("Resistance, Jewish"). This type of resistance was common because it didn't include

much risk. "But historians are coming to realize that Jewish resistance, in all its manifestations,

was a widespread phenomenon" ("Resistance, Jewish"). Due to different resources in different

locations, a variety of resistances occurred. Unfortunately every Jewish resistance resulted in

Jewish defeat. ("Resistance, Jewish"). Nonetheless, they continued to resist. The Jewish youth

had underground meetings, talking about ways to resist and plotting future resistances

("Resistance, Jewish"). Many Jewish schools and theatres were created to continue further

education for the Jewish youth ("Resistance, Jewish"). Having meetings and continuing

education were both proof of the rising expansion of resistance. But sometimes, it wasn’t only

the Jews who got involved. One of the biggest parts of the Jewish resistance was rescuing and

the aid for the escape from the Nazis ("Resistance, Jewish"). They did this with fake papers and

hiding with non­Jews who wanted to help. Rescuing the Jews became a main focus in 1944 with

the Arrow cross Party (“Resistance, Jewish”). But the Jews didn’t have the best of lives. The

Jews still remaining in ghettos or camps faced death for resisting. Resisting that landed Jews in

jail consisted of attacking Nazis with bare hands, spitting on a Nazi, and cursing at a Nazi

(“Resistance, Jewish”).

Resistance in the ghettos became more challenging due to starvation ("Resistance,

Jewish"). Having a deficit of food resulted in a lack of energy for the Jews. With a lack of

energy meant they were too tired to lead revolts. Also, the Jews were constantly stressed and

anxious having to live with the fear of being beaten or killed by a German at any time

("Resistance, Jewish"). Any wrong move by a Jew, that a German didn’t like, could result in

their death ("Resistance, Jewish"). A big issue within the idea of resistance was that most of

them didn’t even have weapons to fight back and resist with ("Resistance, Jewish"). Secondly, if

one prisoner did something wrong the entire unit would get punished and have to suffer due their

comrade’s problem/ mistake ("Resistance, Jewish"). Not only did some people inside camps and

ghettos not join, but people outside of these places might not have helped ("Resistance, Jewish").

This is because anyone who helps a Jew automatically faces death ("Resistance, Jewish"). This

resulted in most Jews not getting help from the outside or from their own kind.

Some well known resistances against the Nazis, occurred in a ghetto called the Warsaw

ghetto. In 1939, just as the Jewish persecution was beginning, a rebel group out of the Warsaw

area was forming. Starting out as the Polish home army, the resistance began by placing

propaganda supporting them and opposing the Nazis (“Warsaw”). But as the Nazis got stronger

the resistance began making ammo and helping supply the allies (“Warsaw”). At this time the

Warsaw Ghetto was in full rebellion (Warsaw). This rebellion included starting religious

movements and creating soldiers of the ZOB. The ZOB is the name of one of the more well

known Jewish fighting groups.

Warsaw's youth wanted to keep their religion in Warsaw (“Warsaw”). The elders had

fled or were taken due to their high position. It was up to the youth of the community to

strengthen and continue their beliefs. The youth with their "keen instincts and leadership

qualities," (“Warsaw”) made religion in the ghetto a possibility. The youth of the ghetto decided

it would be wise to set up an underground system to send information to other places and people

(“Warsaw”). Their form of resistance was to provide information, help the communities, and

continue to spread their beliefs, rather than just killing Nazis.

To say resisting was never hand to hand, physical fighting, would be wrong. There were

occasions where groups of ZOB (which consisted of 15 fighters) had physically attacked Nazis

(“Warsaw”). The Jewish people in the ghetto built bunkers for defense, made barriers and found

weapons. Proving they were ready for a fight where they were willing to defend their own. The

well armed ZOB were to confront them in the streets while, in the bunkers, the rest of the

resisters would confront the Nazis (“Warsaw”). The resistance was crushed, however not before

an unknown number of Germans were killed (“Warsaw”). This fight wasn't to win, beat the

Germans, and go on to fight them all, it was a push. Helping to show that they won't bow down

and be pushed by the Germans, but they are people with beliefs and rights. The cost for standing

up for themselves was great. Most often, they lost their lives. As a direct order from Hitler, the

Warsaw ghetto was destroyed, as the rebellion scared him.

Another location known for resistance is the Treblinka camp. There was a small group of

resistance in Treblinka that planned on stealing SS weapons and taking over the camp

(“Treblinka”). A small group of fighters had enough bravery to try and fight for their freedom

out of this Nazi persecution they were living in. The final result was that while stealing the

weapons, the leader was killed, and they only acquired a few weapons. So, during the escape 70

out of 750 escaped (“Treblinka”).

Yet another camp with powerful and brave people willing to risk it all was Sobibor. This

camp, during its escapes, had much better luck with less complications. 300 prisoners tried to

escape however, many people were gunned down, leaving a small total of 50 survivors

("Sobibór.").

All these camps and people fought for what they believed in. The people of Warsaw did

it for them, for their right to live a life without barb wire. Treblinka gallantly attempted an escape

freeing everyone from Jewish oppressors. Sobibor, another amazing feat of courage, put on to

better the lives of its doers. These resistances were daring stories of Jewish people and life

pushing back against the hatred of Nazis.

However, these places were not the only ones with resistors, larger camps and even

whole countries resisted. Also, it wasn’t always the adults who resisted. In fact, a major part of

the Jewish resisters were the youth. The majority of the youth groups were located in: France,

Germany, Austria, Bohemia­Moravia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania (“Youth Movements”).

Among the French groups, few were actually French born while the majority were

immigrants (“Youth Movements: France”). The oldest French movement is called “Eclaireurs

Israélites De France meaning “French Jewish Scouts” which, in 1923, was founded by

seventeen­year­old Robert Gamzon (“Youth Movements: France”). This group would eventually

grow and prosper, uniting many Jewish youth. At first, this group was joined by native­born

French Jews until other religions became accepted (“Youth Movements: France”). Then, as time

passed, other groups were formed and a few youths from some Zionist groups joined (“Youth

Movements”). France fell in 1940, which is when the french Jewish scouts were popular in

France (“Youth Movements”).

Two years later, in 1942, all of the Zionist groups united and had to move underground

due to the deportations of Jews and the mass number of arrests (“Youth Movements: France”).

By this time, there were obviously some Nazis trying to shut down these groups, which caused

the Jews to resist. Nazis went to the group's’ doors telling them to shut their practice down and

change their religion (“Youth Movements”). In response, the Zionists ignored the Nazis while

continuing their practice and religion, proving they were ready to fight (“Youth Movements”).

Whilst the groups in France did revolt and try to free the Jews, they also had to continue

to educate the youth. They did this by setting up study groups for them (“Youth Movements:

France”). Instructors had to teach this material, which meant they had to have instructors and in

order to have these instructors, they also set up special seminars just for instructors (“Youth

Movements: France”). However, there were some young ones who couldn’t go to the study

groups due to distance, which meant they had to get the materials (“Youth Movements: France”).

Jews didn’t only focus on revolting, they also focused on freeing the youth. Starting in

1940, lasting to 1943, these special groups, freed 7,000 youth by smuggling them out of the

country and by placing them into non­Jewish homes.

In Poland, the first Zionist group was called “ha shomer ha tiashar”. (“Youth

Movements”) Their unified goal was to fight society, mainly the Nazis, by creating a movement.

(“Youth Movement”) They helped the Jews by intruding into the Nazis area. (“Youth

Movements”)

One very famous uprising called the Slovak national uprising, was in August 28 through

October 27, 1944. (“Slovakia”) This uprising was where several groups tried to kick out the

Slovak people, free the state from Nazi Germany, and have this be a safe area for Jews.

(“Resistance, Jewish”) The uprising, at its largest, took up over 5,000 square feet! (“Resistance,

Jewish”) Not only was this uprising just anti­Nazis, but there was a large Jewish participation.

(“Resistance, Jewish”)

The events that unfolded in 1900’s by the Nazis were horrific. In this time of hardship

and awfulness the Jewish people did not lose faith, honor, and bravery. They fought and resisted

the Nazis control. They would resist by practicing their religion or by fighting against those

holding them down. Resistance was a way for them to fight for what they believe in. The honor

and bravery shown is of historical greatness. William Faulkner once said, “Never be afraid to

raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If

people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth”. This quote represents the

Jewish goals during their Nazi opposition. Some people stuck in camps or ghettos were aware

that to do what’s right, they had to stand up for what they wanted and raise their voices.

The “Do Little” Raid

by Ricky Armstrong & Trevor Sweener

Today is April 18, 1942. We plan to attack the main island of Japan. Our commander

said that the risk was very high but when it succeeds then America will beatdown Japan. We

take off in an hour and my nerves are acting up. Flying over ocean only to then run into heavy

fire, which may kill me and my crew is a terrible though. I am starting to have some regrets

about joining the military, but it is for the world’s best interest. The bombs are being placed on

my B­25 and I never knew that the plane could hold this many bombs. They must want us to

blow the Japs to Kingdom come. The planes are being brought up now and our commander is

telling us our job.

Our plane is taking off next and then we will fly over Japan and bomb them. I am the pilot

of our “Behemoth Bessy” and we plan to have a clear flight, but we won't be returning home to

our aircraft carrier because our fuel would run out before we made it. So we have to fly to China

and land at an air strip over there. At least they have better chinese food than on our hunk of

floating metal.

Our flight was clear until we got near the island of Japan and then came the flak. Hunks

of hot metal being blown up in the air next to our aircraft. Made to rip apart our wings and send

us falling. Good thing those Japs can't shoot their guns very well. We made it to our target with

only losing two bombers, and then came our turn to to put the hurt on them. We blew up

factories and rail yards until nothing was left. We then started to head back to China, but then

things started to get bad for us. The flak increased and we were hit several times, damaging out

left engine. We knew what to do if we crashed, destroy the Norden, an advanced targeting

machine that can put a bomb on a dumpling that someone dropped last night at dinner. Our

plane isn't looking to good as the right engine is trying to keep us going so I debated with my

crew if we should try the ocean or put her down in the countryside.

There was no resistance when we crash landed. Two of our men died on the landing

which was hard and rough. We were now down to three men and we knew that we needed to

move away from the crash or else the Japs would be on us very quickly. We blew up the

Norden and threw it in a nearby river. We took all the essentials for life including food canteens

and our guns. We then headed away from the crash looking for a place to reorganize and catch

our breath. This was going to be a test on whether or not we can survive in the wilderness

avoiding all others or else we could die. Everything for us is hostile, everything around us is new

and dangerous, everything around here is looking for us and trying to kill us. The first day was

just all about moving away from all people.

We are about 20 miles from the crash site and there is a lot of activity around us. The

Japs are all over the place, and we are almost captured on every new turn. We walked through

some thick brush and stumbled upon an open field. We knew we shouldn’t walk across it but we

needed to, so we did. Then came the yells and shouts from the Japanese soldiers. They had

the field surrounded and were watching us to see what we did. We started to run and two more

of my men were shot dead. We then stopped running and held our hands high above our head,

like we were trying to reach to God so that he could pull us up and out of this terrible place.

It’s our first day of camp and the guys in here are skinny and have scars from what has

happened to them. This was the worst day yet because our officer in the camps needed to hear

responses in Japanese and my men had no idea how to speak in their language. Due to the fact

that we could not respond to our commanding officer in Japanese, we were tied to a stake in the

middle of the courtyard and beaten with batons and whips. We also did not receive any food

that day. Our bunk mates taught us Japanese that night and what to say to our officer when he

calls our name. He did not tell us what it meant in English but just the Japanese. It could be

anything, maybe we don’t want to know what it is because it would just lower our morale. That

night was the worst because the whip lashes on my back were unbearable and I ended up with

no sleep.

This was what life was like in the camps everyday, the same thing, work for a while and

then have a bowl of rice and then work more and then maybe a little piece of fish and then more

work. This was going on for a very long time, I saw my friends die due to starvation or even by

the Japanese. They would run up to you and give you a warning if you were not working hard

enough and if you messed up again you would die. This was the worst when you knew you

could not go on any longer and then they just end your life. They didn’t even think about it. The

war looked to be coming to a close and we were constantly being relocated. We had to walk for

miles on end and we only walked longer to work longer at this new camp. The men in the back

of our “run” never make it to our next camp so I would say that the soldiers in the back wanted

to keep up with the rest and just killed them, it’s just brutal. One night, a bomber flew over our

heads and we all yelled for them to save us but they never did. We wanted them to blow us up

and end us to get us out of this terrible hell hole. One of the roofs caught fire and nobody

wanted to put it out. Men tried to stay in the burning hut as they had lost all hope. The men who

had resisted to help with the fire were shot and then everyone started to work. It was weeks

before the next major events took place.

We were working in an iron plant and then we heard the engines flying overhead. Bombs

exploded all around us and the shrapnel was flying all around and hitting everyone. My eyes

were seeing in slow motion as a piece of shrapnel flew directly at my face. I fell to the ground

and never got up, knowing that I had made my grave between two pieces of iron bars. I had

died a prisoner of war as many other had, just one man out of a large mass of men who died

never knowing how their family was or how their children were in school, just dying in some

foreign land for a cause which is to high for the amount of men who spent their lives on it.

Head Strong

By Sean Brundige, Makenna Packard, & Hannah Roach

“Just wait! be patient” their voices echo through the dark, empty space that, once upon

a time, was my soul. Wait for what?! I’m sick of just waiting I’m sick of being spat on,

and crushed under foot. The Bible says that all men are created equally, if that is true,

then why was all of my self worth shattered into a million pieces by individuals who

claimed to be above me?

My name is Andy Smith, not that anyone ever cared enough to call me by it. I

was fairly accustomed to being addressed as “boy” or “you there” or other things that I

don't care to express via ink and paper being that I can barely take hearing the names

verbally. I know that by now, I should be used to these hideous racist titles, but the truth

is, i’m not, and I don’t think I ever will be. Should I honestly respect the people that treat

me (and the ones I love) like we are nothing more than mistakes? At first, I believed

them. I went through a part of my life where I honestly believed that I was nothing more

than trash, a mess up, an error. But then I realised that the voices penetrating my hopes

and dreams, were no more than wicked whispers sent to see what I am made of. I

picked myself back up, and now i'm proving them wrong, all of them. I am a large

contributor to the “Brotherhood Of Sleeping Car Porters” which is the first All Black

Labor union.

People say i’m unreasonably stubborn, but I have reason to believe that if you are

truthful with the way you live, you have right to take pride in it. I was sick of waiting. Sick

of waiting for a miracle that was almost sure not to happen. So I changed who I was,

and now i'm on my way to a place where I can be accepted for who I am. A place where

color doesn’t matter, and this place is for everyone. The nights when I tossed and

turned, the days where the mere walls of consciousness were collapsing around my will

to live, they all led up to me getting on my feet and actually making a change. Talk is

cheap. If you want something, don’t wait for it to come to you, get up and go get it

yourself.

The Jim Crow Days

By Melanie Allen, Myah House, & James Martragono

Thomas Rice was the inventor of the character Jim Crow. He performed in minstrel

shows at night. He also made many songs about Jim Crow. He was born in New York City on

May 20,1808. He died on September 19, 1860, from poverty by wasting all of his his money.

And at t the time of his death no one cared anymore that he created “Jim Crow”. Thomas Rice

gained popularity in the 19th century by coming up with black face by making fun of the black

people ("Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia"). In doing this, the Jim Crow character was

created in 1828 ("Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia). Eventually, the character’s name was

applied to racist laws affecting African Americans in the southern states ("Jim Crow law."). Jim Crow

Laws started in the 1870s and lasted through the 1950s.

These laws separated blacks from the whites it also affected them from going places like stores,

sitting areas outside, transportation, parks, cemeteries, water fountains, waiting rooms, and schools ("Jim

Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia"). Laws were passed in the 1890’s to establish segregation. They

would use signs to tell African Americans they were unwanted in the area or place. The whites would

place the signs outside of businesses they owned. Not only was there segregation, but there was

lynching, people buried alive ,people hung to death, also people got their flesh ripped off with

pincers ("A Blood Red Record: the 1890s and American Apartheid”). The 1890’s was one of the

worst times with violence during Jim Crow. African Americans were not known as people to the

whites they were known as animals or slaves. They didn't get any respect from others, they were

just put here to work (Students of Mount Clemens Junior High).

Schools in the south were horrible. The whites thought that they didn't deserve to be

educated, so they didn't have many teacher nor did they have desks or a good health

environment to learn in. The roofs had leaks in them, they didn't have books to read from unless

they were handme downs. African Americans children would get ripped out of school just to

work in crops or they couldn't go to school because their parents need their help making money.

It was never equal for African Americans, white schools would get money from the public while

they got nothing ("The Education of Black Children in the Jim Crow South").

These Jim Crow Laws prevented African Americans from voting for anything until after

the voting right act. The U.S congress passed the law for African American men to vote in 1869

February 26. The voting right act was used to reinforce fifteenth amendment (Fifteenth

Amendment ratified 1870). Even after it was pasted it didn't change that much, African

Americans didn't really want to even vote some of the times. Also after the new law was passed

there was a lot of violent outbreaks.

Jim Crow Laws didn't really end till the late 1950’s after The Civil Rights Act. For one

hundred years! African Americans had to go through violence, unfair laws, unfair everything

basically. One hundred years of all this pain and unfairness stated to finally end; the racial slurs/

songs, lynching, not being able to learn because the environment and not having any books.

One True Story: An African Boy Who Got Tricked and Killed

By Dylan Crea, John Illingworth, & Shane Steinman

Emmett Till was an African American born on July 25th, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. At the

age of 14 he moved down to Mississippi to go and work for his uncle in cotton production

("Emmett Till”). One day Emmett was with a group of boys, when suddenly they dared him to

go and talk to a white cashier girl. When he started to talk to the girl, he ended up getting in

trouble and killed ("Emmett Till).

At the time, blacks were segregated from whites. And no one really payed attention

about blacks which created a controversy when Emmett began to talk to the white cashier girl.

He ended up being shot and killed by the cashier's step brother then thrown into a nearby river

so no one would find out about what went down and no one was held responsible for this.

Even though this was a big deal at the time due to Emmett never getting a proper burial. That

is how an African boy got tricked into talking to a white female cashier(whistling) at her and

ending up getting shot because of his actions .

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

By Josh Gallager & Leonardo Ludizaca

`Martin luther king jr grew up in the south.He was born in January 15, 1929, Atlanta,

Georgia. His father and maternal grandfather were Baptist preachers. When he was younger

he was friends with some white kids and they played together. But after a while the mother of

the white kids had to go to segregated schools so the mom told the white kids that they could

not longer hang out with Martin Luther King Jr. because he was black.

Martin Luther King Jr. studied at Crozer Theological Seminary for three years and

learned about non violent protest. One of his nonviolent protests was when Rosa Parks , an

African American woman, had refused to give her bus seat to a white passenger and as a

consequence was arrested for violating the city’s segregation law, so because of this he has

decided to have a boycott against the buses, because of the boycott the buses were

desegregated.

In Birmingham, Alabama, in the spring of 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. and a lot of his

supporters has been arrested and put into Birmingham jail. When he was in jail he wrote a letter

explaining why he found nonviolent action to be more efficient than violent. Towards the end of

the Birmingham campaign, Martin Luther King joined other civil right leaders on the March On

Washington. On August 28, 1963, an interracial assembly of more than 200,000 gathered at the

Lincoln Memorial to demand equal justice for all citizens under the law. Here is where Martin

Luther King gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. This speech influenced the national

opinion and resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, authorizing the federal

government to enforce desegregation of public accommodations and outlawing discrimination in

publicly owned facilities, as well as in employment.

Martin Luther King Jr. was then assassinated just after 6 p.m. on April 4, 1968 by James

Earl Ray. Martin Luther King Jr got fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his

second­story room at the Lorraine Motel In Memphis, Tennessee. The day before his

assassination it almost seemed as if he knew he was going to be killed as he said “I’ve seen

the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a

people, will get to the promised land.”

Ku Klux Klan:

A Frightening Community

By Shelby Lynch, Nicole Gamberoni, Milly

Hernandez, & Cole Turner

The Ku Klux Klan is a group of white supremacists (anti­semitists); mainly men, who

decided to make a circle of brotherhood. They would get together and have a ceremony and plan

to kill or hurt the people who weren’t as high ranking as the people (Ku Klux Klan EB).

Confederates felt politically incapable and dislike both Northern rule and black civil rights (Ku

Klux Klan EB).The KKK were founded in 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee (Ku Klux Klan EB).

Getting the name of the Ku Klux Klan was a process itself. They got the “Ku Klux” part of the

name from the Greek word kyklos, meaning circle and the word “Klan” from the English word

clan which means a group of closely­knit and non­related family members (The Ku Klux Klan is

Founded).Since the KKK was a big group they always had people trying to hurt the colored

people both physically and mentally (Ku Klux Klan EB). The KKK group was in charge of the

kidnappings, murders, threats to leave the south, and a lot of violence in the south of the United

States and many more areas pointing towards the black people living in these areas(Ku Klux

Klan EB).

The KKK had many goals, mainly they wanted to make colored people disappear forever

because they weren’t considered equal (Ku Klux Klan). Another goal was to have the owners of

the slaves keep control of the people that “had no rights”(Ku Klux Klan EB). The members of

the KKK wanted to “reconstruct” the political views of people who believed in equal rights

(History).

During The Great Depression in the year 1930 many events also happened to the KKK

itself and not just the people getting hurt by the KKK(Ku Klux Klan EB). The membership of the

KKK dropped greatly (Ku Klux Klan EB). The people in the the KKK clan were dropping out

because of the terrible event that was happening and the people did not want to be apart of this

anymore because they did not want these things that they did to be on them anymore so they left

the KKK.(Ku Klux Klan EB). The KKK went bankrupt during this time(Ku Klux Klan). Only a

few years later in 1944 their taxes declined (Ku Klux Klan).

The KKK had very specific attire; its members wore white robes and white hats that have

a pointed tip, and their faces were covered except for their eyes Ku Klux Klan EB). By covering

their eyes this meant that they would not reveal their identity because they claimed to be ghosts

of the Confederate soldiers when they tormented black people(Ku Klux Klan EB). Higher

ranking member in the KKK wore red or black robe instead of a plain white robe (Ku Klux Klan

EB). Members of the KKK had secret codes and handshakes or fakes codes and handshakes to

catch people who weren’t officially part of the KKK (Ku Klux Klan EB). Group leaders told the

KKK members what to do and who they wanted to be killed or tormented (Ku Klux Klan EB).

The KKK was a dreadful organization that did unacceptable things to the black people.

Its members killed people: black, white and Roman Catholics (Ku Klux Klan EB). The KKK

also destroyed crops, burned houses, barns, and crosses (suggesting that black people to leave)

(Ku Klux Klan EB). They terrorized black slaves or even free black people living on their own in

the south (Ku Klux Klan EB). Being a black child or even sometimes white child in this time

was not very safe(Ku Klux Klan).This was because the KKK would take babies, children, and

adults from their communities, parents, their own yards, and everything they knew (Ku Klux

Klan EB). The KKK was legitimately serious about all the events that was happening.

The KKK had many supporters. Indeed there were black KKK members; in the first

group there were about 20,000 of them in the KKK (Moore). In 1920 the KKK became a

national movement but by 1960 it was mostly a Southern movement and grew just to segregate

(meaning separate black people from the white people) (Moore). By 1960 the KKK was made up

of only fifty thousand people; during its strongest reign the KKK exceeded over 4 million

members nationwide (Moore).

Even today the KKK still exists. They are mainly found in Atlanta, Georgia (Ku

Klux Klan EB). Today’s KKK is a very different group but they still have the same beliefs as

they did in 1920 (Ku Klux Klan Today). In 1920 the KKK was closely tied to the Nazi

movement in the USA, which made them even more hated by the people they targeted(Ku Klux

Klan Today). Today instead of being called the KKK they are mainly known as the “Knights of

the Ku Klux Klan” (Ku Klux Klan Today). While some people in the KKK did not believe in

marriage because this was such a secretive operation to be apart of, others got married on the

Civil War battlefields. Some of the ceremonies for members of the KKK include naturalization

ceremonies in Tennessee to welcome newcomers to the KKK (Ku Klux Klan Today). KKK

members from around the country gather with other groups of KKK members (Ku Klux Klan

Today). Today KKK members still burn crosses to symbolize that members believe in the

Christian faith(Ku Klux Klan Today).

Today the KKK remains a horrific group of people, and even though the old KKK

did terrible things, there are much worse weapons that are being used to hurt the people the KKK

do not like today (Ku Klux Klan Today) The KKK in the 1920s was a much worse group of

people than the KKK is today because the people today aren’t as opposed to black people as the

people were in the 1920s but they still are opposed to them just not how they used to be(Ku Klux

Klan Today). Today is a much safer place referring to the KKK (Ku Klux Klan).

A Terrible Time For South Africa

By Katie Colvin, Julia Hanson, Zenani Santos, & Abby Schilling

1948­1994 was a time filled with suffering and pain for the people of South Africa;

not only were they the years of segregation, but they were also the years of the

Apartheid, a system in South Africa that allowed political, social, and economic white

dominance and limited the rights of all the blacks (“Apartheid”). Both before and during

Apartheid, the white population in Africa saw the black Africans as evil and gave them

many rules and laws that they had to follow. Colored workers of South Africa were

assigned jobs by the white government and did not have a say in what they wanted to

do for work (“Apartheid: a study in black and white”). People of color in South Africa

were only allowed in the “white” areas while they were working there for them but were

still closely monitored (“Apartheid: a study in black and white”). The Dutch, who the

whites were descendants from gave names to verbally segregate them from the

Africans; they called themselves the Afrikaners and they called the Africans Boers

(“Prejudice in The Modern World”) . The Africans also were required to carrying an

identity card which showed people their homeland and their work status (“Identity

Card”). The identity card promoted racial segregation and had to be carried around if

the person was leaving his/her homeland. (“Identity Card”) Not only did they give out

identity cards but they also prohibited biracial marriage.

The education system in Africa was another aspect that was greatly affected by

the Apartheid. The education opportunities were not equal. The white schools were free

and had high quality teachers while the schools assigned to the native Africans did not

(“Commey”). In 1953 a movement called the Bantu Education Act attempted to repair

the ethnic problems in South Africa by making the political and economic units

separated by ethnicity. In 1977 Afrikaner powers tried to show their dominance by

attempting to force their language on the blacks. The attempt resulted in a revolt in

Soweto Township of Johannesburg and 87 schoolchildren were killed by police force.

Even in more modern times (2012) black education in South Africa lacked and school

books that were ordered for the students either arrived to schools extremely late or did

not arrive at all (“Commey”).

During the 1970’s and 1980’s the African Americans tried to begin an anti­

apartheid act (“Apartheid”). A man who had an immense impact in the anti­apartheid

movement was Nelson Mandela. Not only did he boycott the apartheid several times, he

also was sent to jail on numerous occasions for doing so. Despite the racism Mandela’s

law professor exhibited, he continued to attend law school among all of the white

students (“Mandela, Nelson”). Bold moves such as those are the reason behind all his

fame and are what won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Nelson Mandela died at the

age of 95, so in honor of him the anniversary of his death was made into a national

remembrance day for the South Africans.

Another remarkable contributor to the anti­Apartheid movement was Ruth First.

Ruth First was a white woman who grew up in South Africa. She was a very strong,

independent woman who knew what she believed and fought for it. She was also a very

skilled, highly educated writer who used her writing to show the people who were

completely disconnected and uninformed about Apartheid and what these awful

oppressors were doing to these innocent people. She worked alongside Nelson

Mandela, a crucial part of the anti­Apartheid movement, merely because he was using

his words to stand up for his people. As well as working with Mandela, First also worked

with a group of hidden ANC leaders to help the underground anti­Apartheid movement.

Steve Biko was another person who was a strong anti­Apartheid activist. In 1997

he became the president of the Black People's Convention. Steve Biko believed that

blacks should build their own political structure and be able to view things their own way

(“Biko, Steve 1946­1977”). Biko was arrested several times and the police did not allow

him to publicly speak. He was sent to jail for five years but was only there for the first

nine months because he died due to brain damage from the violent police force. His life

ended very early dying at the age of 30. Though he lived a short life, his actions

certainly made a big impact because his ideas along with other activists’ ideas are what

ended the Apartheid. After Biko’s death his ideas were passed on through many

generations and the Apartheid system finally ended.

Jan Smuts, another amazing activist was the South African Prime Minister. He

was very involved with South African politics. He used to write for a newspaper called

The Cape Times. After that he got swept up in the tension between the Afrikaners and

the Brits, he ended up siding with the Boers who taught him the ways of guerilla warfare

and he helped them fight in the Second Boer war. Although they did not win the war,

progress had been made. Smuts was one of the main organizers of the Het Volk party

in 1905. This was a Transversaal political party that was established in May 1904.

Smuts made a large impact on the apartheid.

On June 9, 1990 the white minority of South Africa voted to end

segregation once and for all. Even after the Apartheid there was still little to no change

because whites still owned a majority of the land. In t 2013 and 2014 an activist named

Yunus Carrim tried to find a solution to the problem and eventually ended up splitting

the wealth between the two races. Now the black majority has more political power and

control of South Africa. South Africa also has the leading economy in Africa and tries to

connect “south­south” countries with other trading places and try to maintain

connections with the United States and Europe (“South Africa: Country Outlook”). Since

the end of the Apartheid other positive things in South Africa have happened such as

cheaper oil prices and higher wages for workers.

THE REBEL

By Katie Colvin, Julia Hanson, Zenani Santos, & Abby Schilling

During the years of the Apartheid 21,000 people died from political violence in

South Africa. These people were protesters, journalists, children, lawyers, nurses,

doctors and much more; their one goal was to create everlasting equality in South

Africa.

“Segregation…… this has always been a pretty important part of my life. I

thought, just like many others that this age of manipulation and exploitation was merely

a phase. Boy were we wrong…..”

Some call her Lola, others call her The Rebel. Lola Ife has been alive for a long

ninety­five years. She has furiously fought next to Mandela, Solomon Malanga, Ruth

First, and many others. She grew up a part of the Ndebele tribe. Her tribe had faced

many years of seclusion, terror and fear. They had much tension with the South African

Republic.

I have been interviewing Lola for the past three years. She has shared with me

many stories about her life, and now I am going to share these stories to the world so

that Lola Ife can have her say!

It was a humid day. Black flies flew black and forth. Lola was scrunched up in the

corner of her families cement hut with her favorite book, devouring it as if it was the last

time she would ever read its mesmerizing words.

Suddenly she heard the crunching of a truck proceeding towards their

little village. “Lola hide do not come out until I tell you to!” Lola ran to the back room and

crouched down. She peeped up to see what was happening, what she saw would

forever change the way she saw the white race.

Her mother and father stood in the door frame as if they were becoming a part of

the house, not letting anything or anyone enter. A small white man along with two more,

bigger white men stepped out of a black truck and walked towards the leader, Akachi.

The white men had this look of disgust plastered on their faces as if this place where

blacks lived was contaminated. He talked with much anger in his voice towards Akachi;

“You dumb Boer, we need the damn money!” “Sir I am sorry but I cannot give you

money, I can offer you……” the little white man interrupted “If you do not give me the

money now I will shoot you” Akachi now had a look of terror on his face “Sir I cannot

give you money, I can offer you……” the white man pulled out a shiny, hard, evil

injected gun and shot the Akachi in the head. In that moment it was as if we had all

been shot.

It was like a shock wave of panic had now overtaken our village, drowning us,

filling our lungs with dark, black, hot terror.

My father slammed the door. “We need to leave, go!”

“We ran out the back door, father told me to not look back. I could not resist; the

little white man was throwing our people into the back of the hard metal truck. Akachi

was laying there mute, a pool of dark red blood filled the brown dry African dirt. It was

terrible…”

After leaving their village, Lola and her family went to go stay with her aunt

in KwaZulu­Natal. She lived in the city; Durban.

It was 1991 and the apartheid was raging out of control.

In Lola’s village there was racism, the money collectors, none of the people from

her village could attend white schools outside of her village, and much more. However,

when they stepped off the rickety bus and onto the streets of Durban, she knew that

racism flowed strongly through its veins.

Her aunt lived in a little brick house the was the color of dark coffee. She

had three kids, a daughter, and two sons. She did not have a husband, he was killed

mining for gold in a local mine. This house was much different from their little cement

hut back in the village. It had little cracked windows on the sides of it, and was

surrounded by many more. Lola and her family had one room that they all shared.

“Lola Wake up, it is time to get ready!” her father yelled.

Lola cracked open her sleepy eyes and slowly rolled herself off of her cot on the

stone cold floor. She put on her school uniform and her ripped, worn undergarments.

She was off.

School was a mile away, and she had to be there for 6am every morning. Lola

was not accustomed to the ways of public black schooling; it was a very strange

adjustment.

“You are five minutes late Lola!” her Mrs. Dunham screeched.

The punishment for being late was five lashes of the ruler.

Lola slowly walked up to Mrs. Dunham and received her five lashes. Lola

despised the lashes Mrs. Dunham would dole out to the kids.

The day went on and the small square classroom slowly filled with

students, each late one receiving their five lashes as if it was some sort of mandatory

late ticket. It was nearly noon and the class was scorching hot, each student was

touching one another, there was barely any space, and Lola could not handle it. She sat

on the ground and tried to assure herself that she would be okay. She sat this way until

the chimes rang and they could finally leave.

After school Lola scurried to the market, her mother had given her fifty

cents to go to the market after school and get a treat.

She entered the clean, pristine market place. This market place was for

both whites and blacks which was a rarity in Durban.

She walked over to the candy bar section and picked out a chocolate bar.

Lola loved chocolate bars.

She payed the white man working the register and hurried out.

She was walking out, all consumed in the unwrapping of the chocolate. She had

to make sure that it didn’t melt in the hot African sun.

As she was walking and slowly nibbling on her chocolate she heard a gun

fire. Then another, and another. She was very concerned but at the same time very

curious. So she went towards it. She then heard protests coming from a street two

blocks away. She ran towards it. What she saw forever changed her life.

It was Mandela and many others protesting for equal rights.

Lola had heard about these protests and seen many articles in the papers about

them. Her older cousin was very much into the whole protesting action. However, her

mother had always told her to steer clear of them, but she couldn’t resist.

She ran over to see what was happening and got swooped up into the

mass of protesters. She marched with them trying to murmur what they were all

shouting. When all of a sudden she heard another shot. This time it was closer. Soon a

big white van was driving towards them. Lola was not concerned.

She tried to escape the crowd but could not seem to maneuver through all

the clusters of people.

People were now throwing stones at the white man in the van, and

screaming. More shots were being fired towards the protesters. It was now vital for Lola

to get out.

She pushed through the crowd, yearning for the end to be near.

All of a sudden a large boy with strong arms grabber her and puller her through

the crowd, somehow signaling to people that he was coming through regardless, and

got her to a little ally. It was Amir, her cousin.

“Amir! Thank god!”

Amir had a look of anger and fear written on his face. “Lola you should not have

been out there, that type of protesting was way to dangerous for you!”

Lola looked confused and in a way terrified, what Amir was about to say

would change the way that Lola looked at the white race for the second time in her life.

“Lola what you just saw was the fighting of the apartheid, Nelson Mandela

and all the others were fighting for equal rights. The big white van that you saw were the

white police and those shots that you heard were gun shots. The white police were

shooting at the us protesters. Five people died today. The white people think that they

have superiority over us, they have made us live in the little brick shacks that we live in,

they have made it virtually impossible for us to get good paying jobs, and have turned

our world into a living hell! We cannot take this any longer and tat is why we need to

fight back! Equality is the answer to our future!”

Lola now had a look of determination on her face! She was going to not

fight back but teach these white ignorant people, show them that all these years they

have been wrong. Let them see the damage they have caused and bring the races

together!”

Lola Ife fought alongside many inspirational leaders of the South African

society, and although she did not change all the ignorant white people she sure

changed many!

A Letter From Year Zero

By Joe Packard & Ari Yantovsky

Dear LMMHS community,

My name is john mammoth, and I am writing this document to explain my struggles

while living through the reign of the Khmer Rouge. I was born in 1970 in Cambodia. It all

started in 1975, when the Khmer Rouge came to power over Cambodia. Their motive was to take

control and reshape Cambodia into an agrarian utopia based on Marxist principles. Because of

the Khmer Rouge I lost my parents as well as many of the other Cambodian children. I

remember the days before we were forced into the countryside; I played with the other kids

nearby. Everything was peaceful then. I haven’t seen my parents since we were forced from our

home. I don't know whether or not they are alive. In the camp where I was held I recognized a

few of the other children. We played together and saw each other at school. But a lot of my

friends were nowhere to be found. I had worried about where everyone was. Sometimes in the

night you could hear gunshots followed by screams and crying. I was terrified of the Khmer

soldiers, they didn't show any sympathy, and what they did to intruders and traitors was horrible.

Their torture methods were unbelievably cruel. I remember once a few weeks into captivity, I

was exploring the camp. I got lost and ended up in a restricted area, and I saw something that I

could never unsee. The Khmer soldiers had taken an intruder, strung him up and cut him open at

the stomach. They then proceeded to cover his body in ants. There the intruded was to stay for

several days until he died. I pray that he is at peace now. The Khmer were a brutal and ferocious

military power, they had aimed to overthrow the Cambodian government and reset everything in

the country, they burned all the books and symbols and religious items, anything that would

remind people of what Cambodia was like before. I remember the air near where they were

burning, being filled with smoke, the air was almost unbreathable. Some people became mildly

ill from the air. Another memory i have from when I was in the camp was upon arrival I saw the

people in front of me being beaten by the Khmer soldiers. Once the soldiers were done I could

not even recognize the people who were beaten. The Khmer soldiers got worse and worse every

day. Eventually it was so bad that if you even glanced at them funny they would kill you. More

and more of the kids I played with started to disappear until I was one of the only ones left. My

closest encounter with death during this time was when i saw Pol Pot himself. He started to walk

towards me and I thought he would kill me. Instead he killed the man working right next to me. I

can still remember his lifeless body dropping to the ground. Even though I was right next to him

there was nothing I could do to help him. I knew that if I even attempted to they would kill me as

well. I had to pretend i was working the remainder of that day because I couldn't focus. I just

kept seeing the man's body dropping to the ground. I still remember the exact day that i was

freed from the rule of the Khmer Rouge. It was December 25, 1978. Vietnam had attacked the

Khmer Rouge and because of this the Khmer Rouge was forced to run to the jungle near the Thai

borders. It all happened so fast i did not even know what was going on. Ever since I was freed i

have been travelling to different places in the world telling them about my struggle. My goal is to

rid the world of all violence and brutality.

Sincerely,

John Mammoth

Friends to Enemies to Friends Again: Healing From the Rwandan Genocide

By Paige Looney

The Rwandan Genocide was a terrible event in Rwandan history; it had profound effects

on both the victims and the attackers. Rwanda, a small country in Africa, suffered ethnic

cleansing between the two groups living there: the Hutus and the Tutsis. The Tutsis had more

government control than the Hutus (the larger group), and were considered the superior race

(“Genocide in Rwanda”). The Hutus in the government planted the seeds of the genocide by

planning to wipe out the population of Tutsis in Rwanda (“Genocide in Rwanda”). They caused

ordinary people to kill their neighbors, students, friends and even family who were Tutsis

(“Genocide in Rwanda”). The killing lasted for 100 days, starting in April 1994; over 10% of

the Rwandan population was killed (mostly Tutsis) and 75% of the whole Tutsi population

(Rieder et al). Over two million Tutsis took refuge in neighboring countries (Rieder et al).

Many Rwandans fled at the height of the genocide in 1994, both perpetrators and

survivors. 250,000 left on April 28th alone (“250,000 Flee”). They took refuge in multiple

neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania

(“250,000 Flee”). Many families were split up during the genocide, which made life even harder

for child survivors. By the end of the year over 100,000 children were orphaned or separated

from their parents and dependent on aid organizations (“250,000 Flee”). Save The Children is an

organization that helped reunite 40,000 children with their parents by taking pictures of the

children and circulating the pictures through refugee camps to see if any parents recognized them

(“250,000 Flee”).

Some refugees fled to the Congolese rainforests, often with genocidaires in pursuit

(“Rwanda: Is It Safe”). Disappearing into these deep jungles helped many refugees escape

(“Rwanda: Is It Safe”). Some kept traveling across the continent until they reached the Atlantic;

most settled in the rainforests (“Rwanda: Is It Safe”). They built huts for themselves and foraged

for food or became laborers for local villages (“Rwanda: Is It Safe”). Some women married

local Congolese men (“Rwanda: Is It Safe”). Many people stayed in the rainforest for years until

they received news that it was safe to return to Rwanda (“Rwanda: Is It Safe”).

Some Rwandans ended up in refugee camps. When they first arrived, they were just

trying to survive; they only cared about food, water, shelter, and finding their relatives (Smedt).

Then, once it was clear that they probably couldn’t return home anytime soon, they began to get

settled (Smedt). They thought about other things besides the necessities, including marriage

(Smedt). First, the people who were already engaged before coming to the camp got married

(Smedt). Other people started to find spouses too (Smedt). Then, child marriages began to

occur, because young girls growing up in refugee camps wanted stability in their lives that a

husband could give them (Smedt).

Child marriages in refugee camps were often between girls 13­14 years old and boys

14­15 (Smedt). They were commonly short­lived, sometimes only lasting a few months (Smedt).

Many refugees considered this worrying, saying these improper marriages were causing a loss of

respect for traditional Rwandan culture (Smedt). Other nontraditional marriages occurred in the

refugee camps. Girls sometimes married old men, and some boys married older widows for their

money (Smedt). That was another reason that young people married: for financial stability

(Smedt). Girls mainly married wealthy boys: some who had gotten their money from a job or a

small business, others who had stolen it by looting houses or even killing people (Smedt).

60­80% of adolescents were married in many refugee camps (Smedt). Unfortunately, these

couples often quickly divorced, leaving the girl umuvanzu (woman­who­has­left­the­house)

(Smedt). Umuvanzu women struggled to support themselves and any children that they had and

often had to turn to prostitution to support their families (Smedt). Because men were wary that

they were divorced because of a problem such as infertility, unfaithfulness, or an inability to

cook, they rarely were able to remarry, unless they were wealthy or beautiful (Smedt).

Rwandan society was affected by the genocide in many ways besides nontraditional

marriages; the genocide damaged the mental health of both survivors and perpetrators. Survivors

were extremely likely to have depression, an anxiety disorder, or PTSD (Rieder et al). 5.8% of

survivors were left disabled, 37% had an anxiety disorder, and 25% had suicidal tendencies

(Reider et al). 25% of survivors suffered from PTSD, as well as 16% of their descendants, which

demonstrates how the genocide’s impact extended into successive generations (Rieder et al).

While the survivors are thought to be the most affected, the genocide also damaged the mental

health of the genocidaires (Rieder et al). After the genocide many perpetrators were jailed; their

experiences in prison often contributed to mental health problems (Rieder et al). 22% of former

prisoners had PTSD, 22% had anxiety disorder, and 7% had suicidal tendencies (Rieder et al).

Some were incarcerated directly after genocide, and some upon returning from refugee camps

(Rieder et al). Many prisoners did not expect to ever be released from prison (Rieder et al).

They suffered from malnutrition, a lack of health care, overcrowding, and physical harassment

during incarceration (Rieder et al). 3,800 social workers worked in Rwanda to help orphans and

people who had experienced severe trauma (Rieder et al).

Another terrible facet of the Rwandan Genocide was the sexual assault of women.

Between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped (Nduwimana). Rape was even used to

purposely transmit HIV/AIDS, and 2/3 of the victims of physical violence or rape were HIV

positive (Nduwimana). The rape and infection of a woman with HIV had three results: if the

woman had future sexual partners they became infected; if the woman had a baby it was likely to

die; and the woman was likely to die of the disease (Nduwimana). Sadly, many women had no

access to treatment, so they died from HIV as an aftereffect of the genocide (Nduwimana).

At the time of the Rwandan Genocide the women in Rwanda had very limited rights

(“Since Genocide”). There were few women involved in politics and there were rapes all too

often, adding to the number of orphaned children (“Since Genocide”). After the genocide,

women made up 70% of the population, and now Rwandan women are able to own and inherit

land and also play very important roles in politics (“Since Genocide”).

Communities that had been torn apart by the genocide slowly began to heal. In one

Rwandan town, a farmers’ cooperative called Ubumwe bwa Mataba helped to speed that process

(“How Gacaca Courts Helped”). A genocide survivor named Theoneste Habimana wanted to

help his community reforge friendships between survivors and perpetrators, so he established

Ubumwe bwa Mataba (“How Gacaca Courts Helped”). It included 27 survivors, 32 perpetrators

and 14 other residents (“How Gacaca Courts Helped”). "We used to dig and thereafter hold

short meetings to discuss unity and reconciliation. Today, I can't tell whether one is Tutsi or

Hutu because we share everything and support each other. We are all looking for a better future"

said Habimana (“How Gacaca Courts Helped”).

Since the genocide, things have changed in Rwanda. People identify as Rwandan, not

Hutu or Tutsi (“Remembering the Rwanda Genocide”). When someone attempts to deny that the

genocide happened, Rwandans condemn them, telling them that it is disrespectful to the memory

of the victims (“Remembering the Rwanda Genocide”). They recognize the horror of the

massacres with the term "Kwibuka", meaning "genocide, never again" (“Remembering the

Rwanda Genocide”). Children are growing up in a country that’s finally healing; they are taught

about the terrible events of 1994, and why they should never be repeated (“Remembering the

Rwanda Genocide”).

“21 years after, Rwanda is aspiring for a better future and vision with purity in the minds

and hearts of its children. Green vegetation and abundant crops welcome whoever passes and no

more hate and revenge of the brothers and sisters.” (Nsengumuremyi)

Journal Of Jerome Abolte

By Piero Merino, Herkus Rudzinskas, Tristeny Saldo, & Maisie Morrison

Journal Entries of Jerome Abolte, who was separated from his wife and two children, and now travelling with a group of Tutsi refugees fleeing the militia .

Rwanda 1994: My Journey

April 7th, 1994:

I was being chased, I had no choice, I had to leave my family. My

beautiful wife, my two loving children. They were already dead, I saw. I saw their

dead stagnant bodies just lying there, covered in blood and shell casings. I am almost

positive it was them, it had to be. I just couldn’t bear to look at them, laying there dead

and completely not moving. It’s the day after the massacre , the militia killed everyone

with no mercy. Now me and some other Tutsis that got away are running northward

to Uganda; we were hoping of meeting the resistance. Some of the other guys talked of

joining the RPF to avenge their fallen brethren. I thought about joining but it’s be

suicide, I didn’t even know how to shoot a gun let alone kill a man. Well we found a

couple of huts to rest in for the night, hopefully they don’t find us.

April 8th, 1994:

We lost about half of our group last night; the militia found us. In the

dead of night I heard one scream that was muffled shortly after. Immediately after, I

woke up everyone in our hut and told them we had to go. We went out the back

window, and barely saw figures dragging out bodies from the other hut. The figures

were beginning to congregate near our hut; we all quietly ran away and never looked

back. The adrenaline was rushing through my body as fast as thoughts cluttered my

mind. How much longer till they check our hut? Will they know which direction we

went in? Did we gain enough ground between each other? Or are they right on our

trail and about to catch up? We then rested in the jungle as soon as night broke, and

took sanctuary in the darkness.

April 9th, 1994:

We have traveled across the country now, narrowly avoiding detection

by hutu extremists and militias. We are now in Nyamyumba , we are being sheltered

by a friend of mine. He is a Hutu who disapproves of this genocide, and believes that it

is inhumane. Nevertheless we are almost at Uganda, how great it will be to be able to

sleep knowing there’s no risk. Occasionally we’d get news of the RPF advancing,

pushing back the militia, but when they are close to us, Ruhengeri, they would

retreat.. Maybe they aren't strong enough yet, but they are trying.

April 10th, 1994:

News has been spreading of undercover RPF soldiers in town, only a few

Tutsis have been caught and executed by the militia. The militia are paranoid and are

checking everyone's houses now. I have to find a way to join the RPF before the militia

get to me. Im planning on joining the Refugee group that is leaving tonight, and

heading up to Nyundo. Hopefully we will only rest there one night, and from there

continue our journey to Uganda. Since Nyundo is very close to the borders of the

Republic Of Congo, if any emergency comes up, we can flee there, then make it

eastward to Uganda.

April 11th, 1994:

Today we were almost caught by the militia, on our way to Uganda. We

were about halfway up to the Ugandan border. We were beginning to let down our

guard, not be so sneaky, because why would the militia be this far north. We decided

to move on the road, since it was a lot easier, till we reached Uganda. Then the

familiar sounds of the militia trucks were approaching us. We immediately dove into

the nearby shrubs. If we were a second later they would've seen and killed us. I've

decided to join the RPF with some other guys in our group. We discussed about what

were our other options; becoming some poor refugee with nothing? No we wanted to

do something with our lives, not waste them doing nothing in some refugee camp.

Anyway we’re a couple miles from the Ugandan border.

April 12th, 1994:

We encountered the RPF and half of us joined them, and the other half joined a

refugee camp in Uganda. We were accepted with ease. They were low on soldiers, and

needed more troops. They gave the minimal amount of training necessary to fight the

militia and FAR. After a couple of hours I knew how to wield, fire, and reload a gun.

My first mission they sent me on was basically a suicide mission. I was in a squad of 5,

we were assigned to attack a militia camp from the front to draw out all their forces

towards us. In other words we were being used as bait and are likely going to die.

Well this may be the last journal entry i’ll ever write.

After 39 Years of Fighting for Peace, Civil Clashes Continue

By Tate Morrison, Ana Pedro, & Julie Pehlert

An intensely brutal war has torn through the world’s newest nation, South Sudan.

Originally a part of Sudan, the resource­rich country craved independence, and in fact, 98% of

South Sudan’s citizens voted to break away from the country of Sudan (Totten). However, before

gaining long­awaited independence, South Sudan faced 39 years of brutal civil war (“South

Sudan in Peril”). A rebel government called the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement fought

against the Sudan government over oil, power, and resources. In 2011, South Sudan finally broke

away from Sudan, a seemingly large step towards peace from its war­ridden background (“South

Sudan in Peril”). However, despite the seemingly peaceful independence agreement of South

Sudan, the brutal crimes and violent outcries ringing throughout the young country say

otherwise.

There is a tribal and political civil war in South Sudan that has torn apart the unity and

peace that the government had seemingly created, and is still causing countless issues in citizens’

daily lives. More than a million helpless citizens have been displaced far away from their

homes, while hundreds of thousands seek refuge in UN refugee camps and nearly half the

population needs humanitarian aid (“South Sudan in Peril”). Some citizens have crossed the

border into Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan, and Kenya (“South Sudan in Peril”). However, travel and

trade has been incredibly difficult: the civil war has cut off roads and rivers, which are essential

methods of transportation (“South Sudan in Peril”). On top of everything, the civil war may

possibly lead to genocide (“South Sudan in Peril”).

The civil war has been caused by the fighting of two tribes, the Dinkas and the Nuers,

who blame each other for everything (Kushkush). Salva Kiir, South Sudan’s current president is

a Dinka (Kushkush). However, Riek Machar, the ex vice president of South Sudan is a Nuer

(Kushkush). The Nuer group is the second biggest community after the Dinkas, and their

disputes have spread like wildfire through Juba and beyond (Cumming­Bruce).

The fighting began around 2011 when South Sudan gained independence and Salva Kiir

was elected the first president of South Sudan. Almost immediately after Mr. Kiir was elected,

his vice president, Riek Machar, became seemingly critical of him, and accused him of adopting

autocratic policies (“Riek Machar”). After two years of small quarreling, in July of 2013, Riek

Machar announced his plan to run in the 2015 presidential election (“Riek Machar”).

Immediately after this announcement, president Salva Kiir fired Riek Machar in an attempt to

prevent an overthrow he believed his vice president started(“Riek Machar”). As a result, a series

of violence broke out in Juba, and Salva Kiir accused Riek Machar of a coup attempt; Mr. Kiir

ordered for Riek Machar’s arrest, so he was forced to go into hiding (“Riek Machar”). However,

Riek Machar continued to lead his group, the SPLM/A, against Kiir’s forces (“Riek Machar”).

The president and vice president continued to quarrel, and as a result, their forces consequently

initiated violent crime outbreaks, including raids, murder, child soldiers, and rape, mainly against

innocent civilians.

Peaceful Independence: Maybe Just a Dream

South Sudan’s long awaited independence has negatively impacted the lives of its

citizens. After a grueling 22 years of war, 2 million people were left dead and about 4 million

people lost their homes and had nowhere to go. The people living in South Sudan, especially in

Juba, South Sudan’s capital, are facing death because of their ethnic groups, primarily Dinka and

Nuer, both of which are fighting against each other in the civil war. (Gettleman) For example,

citizens are being murdered in the few hospitals across the country and hundreds of women and

girls are victims of rape from soldiers on both sides of the war. Both Kiir and Machar, in lieu of

payment, give permission to their soldiers to attack women and steal property and belongings of

the citizens they attack.(Gettleman) Additionally, thousands of children are being enlisted into

both armies and are forced to fight on the frontlines of war. In an attempt to end the deaths and

abduction of innocent children, child soldiers were banned in 2014, but unfortunately

accomplished little, releasing a mere 1,775 boys. Thousands of children are still enlisted illegally

today and it is estimated that 15,000 boys are still fighting. Soldiers are taught to take firearms

and ammunition from fallen men, due to lack of funding for weapons (Cumming­Bruce). These

unimaginable acts of violence plague the streets of Juba and are quickly making their way across

South Sudan’s land. In an attempt to find safety, over 2.2 million people have fled their

conflicted hometowns and over 600,000 of them have found refuge across the border in

neighboring countries(Cumming­Bruce). On the contrary, army commanders often watch the

horrific battle take place or relax under secluded trees and read an enjoyable book. (Fortin)

Both Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar’s armies mainly consist of civilians. For example, Mr.

Machar's army consists of approx 60,000 to 80,000 civilians (Fortin). Due to the brutal

bloodshed on South Sudan’s soil, masses of frightened civilians have fled to the unpopulated

swampland regions where the shield of trees and grassy marshes offer greater safety than open

towns. However, the dangerous wildlife, namely crocodiles, biting flies, snakes, and mosquitos

essentially eliminate the little safety, and many of those living in the swamplands die.

U.S. Involvement: Could There be Hope?

Little it may seem, countries foreign to South Sudan, particularly the United States, have been

attempting to help ease the horrific violence that continues to tear through the new country. In

fact, the United States has donated 1.1 billion dollars to the country throughout the civil war. The

US was not always against the leadership of Salva Kiir and former vice president, Riek Machar.

In fact, presidents Barack Obama and George Bush originally supported the current president.

There is much controversy over whether the decisions made by the US government about South

Sudan have been effective or at all helpful.

The situation in South Sudan has been deemed out of control, even to the point of genocide.

Many countries have found it difficult to provide any means of prevention of violence; South

Sudan has ignored many countries’ demands for a ceasefire(Gordon). However, little by little,

the United States has been working towards safety for South Sudanese citizens. To eradicate

South Sudan’s external resources, Obama has placed a ban on any trading from the US to the

opposing sides of the civil war(Gordon). In relation to this new law, certain individuals

responsible for major losses of life have been prohibited from their shares in the US and from

traveling significant distances(Gordon). These political criminals include Marial Chanuong, who

led the violent attacks on the city of Juba and Peter Gadit,who led an attack on Bentiu, killing

over 200 people(Gordon).

The United States representative, Donald Booth, is trying to get South Sudan to make a

"transitional" government. Both sides are still furious with each other, but have agreed to a peace

treaty(in August) Booth spoke to many officials of neighboring countries, all in agreement that

they were ready to help make a push for peace. Much is still to be done, however, because the

peace treaty fell through almost immediately(the two sides of the war missed the date for the

signing of the document)("US envoy urges S. Sudan's warring parties to quickly from unity

government.")

As of April 27th, 2016, Riek Machar has been sworn into government again as the vice

president of South Sudan.(Fortin) However, many government officials are questioning the

alleged “pardon” of the brutal civil war and how it will translate into the new government set

up.(Fortin)

A Nuer Boy: From Innocence to Murder

By Tate Morrison, Ana Pedro, & Julie Pehlert

My name is Yassir and I’m a 13 year old boy coming from the Nuer tribe. I was born in a

small town nearby Juba, South Sudan, where I was raised up by my mother and father living

with a brother and little sister. We live in a small village in an area surrounded by mainly

grasslands. We have a group of cattle and a small plant garden.

Since I’m 13, pretty soon my father told me that I will have to test my courage, and go

through our custom ritual to adulthood. To become a man, I’ll receive lines and designs cut

across my forehead. This signifies that I’m a Nuer man, and brave enough that i don't depend on

my parents. I’ve seen the other boys have the intricate designs cut into their once innocent skin;

it’s amazing the way they lay on the dirt floor, unmoving, without any emotion or pain.

I have a cow named Abrar and absolutely stunning; he has a golden caramel hide, huge

deep brown eyes, and horns that range from ivory in the middle, to a dark ebony on the ends.

My father helped me cut his horns into a curved design so that I can recognize him even in an

immense herd of cattle. Every morning, I bring the cattle out to the fields, where they graze

from early sunrise into the late afternoon. After that, I herd them into a byre, where they stay for

the night.

Unfortunately in April, men from the Dinka tribe tore through our village, raiding 2 of

our beloved cattle: Ayeisha and Huda. These cattle have been the lifeline of my family for

generations. My father and some of the other men in our village sometimes even sleep next to

the cattle at night during the dry seasons. Why? You may ask, well we have to protect them

from those Dinka men. We use them for milk, and my father even says that when I’m older and

get married, we’ll use many of our cattle to pay the bride’s family in trade for marriage.

There have been other fights between the Nuers and Dinkas. Sometimes, they raid our

villages, and steal our prized possessions, such as cattle, food, weapons, or clothes. Other times,

there have been violent disputes with weapons between people in our village and raiders from

the Dinka tribe.

After President Kiir fired Vice President Machar and attempted to arrest him, Vice

President Machar led many of us Nuers against President Kiir and his forces. Almost

immediately, violence rang throughout Juba. Now, in our village and villages nearby, there have

been horrible acts of violence such as rape, killing, raiding, and more. One time my mother’s

friend told us that no one is safe because the Dinkas intrude into hospitals and kill and rape.

I was taking the cattle out to the fields to let them graze for the day. I walked through

the dewy flower­spotted fields and watched the clouds drift along the horizon. Suddenly, from

across the isolated valley, I heard a roaring engine get increasingly louder. The vehicle passed

over the hill, and I saw a truck full of men wearing olive green uniforms zoom by. A big cloud

of gray smoke followed the music­blaring truck.

I gasped as the group of men, carrying guns of all sizes screeched into our village,

immediately getting out and yelling at my family and friends, shouting threats of murder.

I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me back to my home. I ran up to the small,

thatched hut, and tried to look through the slats in the back without being noticed. Before I knew

it, I heard loud steps right behind me. It was too late.

The soldier grabbed me by the shoulder, hard. I stumbled to the ground, and he hit me

with his gun. I winced in pain as the “Get up, now!” He shouted. He then picked me up by the

arm, and dragged me along to the truck with him. As I looked back at the place I had lived my

entire life for the last time, I wished I hadn’t seen what I had. I saw my entire family torn apart

and beaten by soldiers. “No! Someone, please help them! I’ll do anything, I promise!” I

shouted as hot tears ran down my dirt­covered cheeks. “Shut up, kid!” the soldier yelled, hitting

me in the back once again with his gun. I winced, and finally stopped resisting. Out of the corner

of my eye, I saw my father cry out, but I was dragged away too quickly to make out his words.

I was immediately shoved into a small truck along with numerous other terrified boys

from my village. The other soldiers piled in with us, and the truck sped off as the soldiers yelled

and cheered about their accomplishments. One of the soldiers stood up, and shouted, “Boys,

we’ve saved you from that horrible village. Your parents are weak! They’ll never lead a life

worth anything! Here, you will learn to be men!” His smile was blood­curdling, unlike anything

I’d seen before in my mere life.

We drove along a dusty dirt road, passing by swamps and grasslands for what seemed

like forever. I realized that that may have been the last time I saw my family again. Finally, the

truck made a sharp right turn, into a clearing. The clearing was a small village­like area, filled

with small buildings and huts.

The huts were made up of long sticks of wood assembled together like a game of Jenga.

The soldiers gave me a hut to stay in along with four other boys around the same age as me.

They also gave us each a gun. One of the soldiers ordered us to lift our guns. I did as I was told,

but one boy refused. In result, the soldier swore at him and knocked him the the ground,

unconscious. I cringed at the sight of his limp, little body laying on the dirt floor. I glanced

around at the other boys, they were just as frightened as I. One soldier noticed my pained

expression, and immediately slapped me across the face. “How dare you! We have saved you

from those awful, filthy Nuers! And this is how you repay us? With weakness!”

I shivered at his harsh words. My parents couldn't be awful, filthy people could they? No.

I can’t let their words get to me. I must stay strong for my family.

The sun had set, and I could see the moon rising above the swamp through the slats of

the hut’s walls. The soldiers gave us something to drink, our first liquid to drink all day. It tasted

strange, but I willingly drank every last drop to ease my burning throat. My head began to spin.

What was in the water they gave me? Spots began appearing in front of my eyes and I fell hard

to the ground, fast asleep.

I awoke to the yelling of the soldiers in my ears, it was beginning to become a familiar

sound. My head was still sore, and I felt sluggish, yet I still dragged my body up off the floor

when they ordered us to gather our guns. Mine was nearly as tall as some of the boys in the hut.

The soldiers directed us to a large vehicle, much like the one they used to take me from my

family. In the open part of the truck, nearly a dozen other boys waited for us to climb aboard.

They looked to be around the same age as me, with only a few younger boys mixed in. They all

looked strange; coated in dirt with glazed­over, bloodshot eyes. One soldier hit me on the back to

get me to get in faster; I obliged. The truck shot forward as soon as I was on the back with the

other boys and kicked up a cloud of dirt. The sun felt like it was burning my eyes.

We drove a little while longer, until we reached the edge of a swamp. I could already

hear the buzz of the biting flies in my ears, but it was soon drowned out by the shouts of the

soldiers. The ordered us to jump out of the truck and follow them into the darkness of the shaded

marshland. We began to run, dodging trees and scrambling under branches, faster and faster. I

began to fall behind and my stomach begged for food, but I kept going, in fear of the soldiers’

wrath if I showed weakness. Up ahead, I heard shrill shrieks coming from an opening in the

underbrush. A group of women and children, who must have been seeking refuge in the swamp,

began running in every direction, trying to escape the soldiers and boys. I heard gunfire. It came

from one of the boys, and soon many others joined in. Children began falling to the ground, dead

by the bullets of my only companions.

I caught a glance of a young girl my age running into the shrubbery, past the boys. I

lifted my gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger. She fell to the ground eyes wide open in shock. I

heard the shouts of the soldiers ordering us to get in the truck and ran to the vehicle without

hesitation. Some of the soldiers held women they had captured and forced them into the cab. We

sped away from the swamp, now littered with bodies, back towards the hut. I could hear the

women screaming, so I looked around at the other boys to see if they noticed. I saw some glance

towards the cab, but then look straight ahead again, as they were doing before. So I did too, and

felt myself become immune to the piercing noise of their cries.

The soldiers continued to drive us to different swamplands and villages, ordering us to

shoot any group of people. Although my stomach constantly was panged with hunger, the

soldiers’ terrifying presence willed me on.

Over time, I didn’t hear the shrieks or cries of terror from exhausted women carrying

their shrieking children, trying to find a bush to hide behind, or small children hearing gunshots

and seeing their loved ones shot while playing an innocent game. Maybe this isn’t so bad, I

found myself thinking time after time. I finally felt like I had a purpose, instead of just tending

to the cattle, or listening to my father’s childhood stories. I used to wonder where my family is,

and if I’d ever see them again, but at this point, I don’t have any real desire to be reunited, as

unrealistic as it sounds. My gun gives me power and control, the soldiers always said. Maybe

they’re right.

The War

By Tristan Collins, Justin King, & Ian McCaffery

Let me tell you a story. The story of how I was corrupted to joining ISIS within

the course of one fateful day. I must begin where my childhood ended, where I became a

man.

“Jamal, tend to the cows,” mother shouted from the oat fields. The sun blistered at

my neck as I carried the water from the trough, to the pasture. It had been six months

since father died fighting in the civil war. Since then my work has been much more

strenuous and our home is frequently silent. Now my only company is mother.

I have recently lost many of my childhood friends. My best friend, Bana, and my

friends who live next door, Jose and Steph Curry, were killed last week in the hospital

bombing in Damascus. It was rumored that the government pulled the strings behind the

bombing. And lately I’ve lost hope, in the government, in the world, in myself, and in the

civil war being resolved. The war killed my father; it killed Bana; I just want to make

sure it doesn’t kill mother. She is all I have left.

“Hurry up, Jamal!” mother shouted “Stop playing with the calves!” I tend to space

out while doing the chores. The last few years, have just given me so much to think

about. The dramatic changes which have turned my world upside down have also, in a

sense, helped me mature and grow. Soon, I will have to decide if it is worth staying and

choosing a side in this war or leaving to try and create a better, safer life as many fellow

Syrians’ have. I have been saving up to help mother and I get to Europe, just in case.

I walk inside, checking, as always, that our box of valuables is well hidden under

the piles of cloth that we use as bedding. Inside rests what is left of my mother’s jewelry,

and our most valuable possession, a wallet filled with money that I had found in a tourist

filled area. It contained just enough to get us on a plane, and get us to Europe, should it

become necessary. We should be able to make it on foot to a refugee camp, then Europe,

if the war worsens; I need to keep mother safe. She and father have made tremendous

sacrifices to try to give me some semblance of normalcy, despite the war. I feel that I am

responsible for taking care of her, now that father is dead. She's all I have left.

After reassuring myself of the cache’s security, I hide it again; diligently adjusting

the linens in order to keep it hidden well. I begin making my way outside but stop dead in

my tracks. “Is that the sound of tires on the dirt road?” I think to myself. Instincts taking

over, I rush back inside, taking my mother’s hand, whispering urgently, “They’re

coming!” There is no need for clarification as to whom, the urgency in my tone says it

all. We rush out the back door, money in hand. When I finally dare to look over my

shoulder, my heart skips a beat. Three Jeeps are barreling down the road, full of heavily

armed men. They are gaining on us. To make matters worse each Jeep carries the clearly

visible flag of ISIS. If it had been government forces, the worst we would have to worry

about would be some mild harassment, stealing of possessions or at worst, a beating.

However, ISIS would show no such mercy. At best they would force me to join their

army, and rape and imprison my mother. At worst they would kill her, and make me

watch, before killing me as well, or perhaps force me to join them.

Of course, none of this was running through my mind on the day my mother died.

At the time, all I cared about was escape. Now I realize how futile our attempt was. Men

with guns in motorized vehicles were impossible to escape on foot, without a weapon to

defend myself and mother.

Finally, the Jeeps caught up and surrounded us, the men jeering and waving their

black market AK­47s of Soviet origin. Suddenly I saw a gun barrel lower and then a shot

ring out and my mother dropped to the ground bleeding from her chest. Her last words

were “Make them pay for what they did to your father”. One second tears were streaking

down my face and another my mind went peacefully blank. I realized that I didn’t have to

worry about escape anymore. From this point onward I would let Allah decide my fate,

for there is no way to escape this brutal world on your own. In the end, you have to

contribute to the turmoil or die.

That is the mindset which plagues so many now in the Middle East and around the

world. And so I speak before you today, having escaped the horror myself, I hope of

awakening at least some of you to the harsh reality of the country. I wish I could still call

Syria my home. I hope some of you smart, strong, driven young men and women will

take it to heart and take this information beyond the walls of Cambridge University, and

make the world a better place by not letting these atrocities to continue to happen to

innocent people, and save them from the unfortunate fate of my late mother.

Seeking Safety: The Syrian Refugee Crisis

By Jimmy Jay Chassi, Phoebe Carry, & Maggie Sorrentino

One million. This number represents the many refugees that have left their home this

year, desperately seeking refuge within the borders of foreign countries around the globe. The

majority of these refugees are escaping war­stricken Syria, and seek refuge in countries such as

Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan (New York Times).

After fleeing their homes, many refugees are sent to refugee camps which claim to

provide shelter for the 155,000 in Turkey, 148,000 in Lebanon, and the 142,000 in Jordan who

have been left in poverty after relocation (New York Times). Upon entrance, refugees are not

greeted by a secure community. Instead of relief, they are mentally and physically traumatized,

as the restricted environment and community take their toll. For the many refugees who are

mentally traumatized, there are often centers of therapists who provide care for the refugees

(Goering). Children suffer the most, as they are unable to play and learn due to the

disadvantages of their environment . Even with little education and experience, they are expected

to perform tasks that adults normally take responsibility for (Hanson). For example, they are

often asked to carry gallons of water across long distances to support the other refugees

(Bajekal). Most tragically, birth rates have plummeted with the lack of place and time for women

to deliver safely. Immigrants are so disgusted by these horrid conditions that they seek asylum in

other countries such as Britain, where they can easily become part of society.

In one specific camp, Jordan’s Zaatari, a glut of 100,000 Syrians occupy the cramped

area, driving citizens of the already struggling country from their homes, resulting in more debt

(Porges). With the surplus of immigrants, refugee children are packed into makeshift schools

with over 85,000 students or have no school at all(Porges). The stress on Jordanians causes the

refugees to feel guilty, wondering if they should simply return to their tumultuous home country

(Porges). As a result, uprisings emerge leading to violence and injuries. New generations suffer

as half of this population is children (Porges). Additionally, despite suffering from the large

addition to the population, Jordanians are willing to accept more immigrants if it means they are

helping Syria out (Porges).

Similar to Jordan, Greece and Turkey suffer from the aftermath of the Syrian civil war.

The major dilemma concerns housing of refugees. Due to unsafe drug caravans and illegal

immigration, Turkey sends all of its immigrants to Greece to ensure its citizens safety (“Turkish

premier heralds success of EU refugee deal”). Refugees remain on many Greek islands without

necessities such as food and health resources. On Lesbos, a Greek island, “2,591 of a total of

2,869 detained migrants have claimed asylum in recent days” (Border Chaos Threatens Deal to

Deport Migrants). On Chios, hundreds were scrambling to complete similar requests because

only 49 of 1,768 migrants had done so by Saturday. (“Border Chaos Threatens Deal to Deport

Migrants”). An example of this is the agreement Turkish officials made with the European

Union. The agreement states that for every one migrant travelling to Turkey from Greece,

Europe must accept a Syrian Refugee coming from Turkey for resettlement using two ferries

with a goal of 500 deportations (“Border chaos threatens deal”). However, only 200 will be sent

away, far from the estimated 500 (“Border chaos threatens deal”). Upon arrival, migrants are

greeted by inexperienced Greek authorities unable to identify the migrants, mostly due to the

difference in language. During travel, refugees have little protection from violence on the ships,

which are unfit for travel (“Border chaos threatens deal”).

Other countries are proud to welcome all refugees, for example, Egypt. (“500,000 Syrian

refugees were received in Egypt”). In general, the country has accepted over 5 million refugees

from all over the world as well as 500,000 Syrian refugees over the last five years. Additionally,

immigrants are integrated into their society and treated fairly (“500,000 Syrian refugees were

received in Egypt”).

Similar to Egypt, Lebanon invites refugees to join the current population, which is over

four million people (“Lebanon’s refugee problem from hell”). While this helps avoid unsafe

camps, terrorist groups within Lebanon have been supporting other Syrian terrorist groups, a

major safety concern (Lebanon’s refugee problem from hell”). Naturally, the Lebanese do not

wish to be associated with these terrorist groups and instead aim to aid refugees. However, the

biggest issue is that the Lebanese worry about these groups causing a civil war similar to the one

in Syria (Lebanon’s refugee problem from hell”).

On the other hand, many countries promise to take in refugees when having considerable

doubts. For example, the United States originally wished to have nothing to do with the

acceptance of Syrians, however, due to constant nagging by the United Nations, the United

States has decided to take in 10,000 Syrians (LaFranchi). The root of the United State’s

hesitation mostly stems from the terrible attack where Al Qaeda bombed the Twin Towers,

killing thousands of innocent Americans (LaFranchi). Before this incident, the United States

happily took in thousands of refugees a year, however, after the entrance of immigrants put their

people in danger, the entire refugee program was shut down (LaFranchi). Then, as a result of

this, the UN pushed the United States to make a contribution to the matter and President Obama

announced the number of Syrians to be arriving in the United States. While generous, this

declaration was controversial, as citizens and officials alike worry about the country's safety. In

fact, the United States has promised their citizens’ safety by “weed[ing] out the all the liars,

terrorists” (LaFranchi). Overall, the entrance of Syrian Refugees into the societies of other

countries has only created controversy and struggle, yet, aid is needed. The U.S. seems to be

exceptionally skeptical, unlike Canada which is offering asylum without the hesitance due to

prejudices (“Canada’s Hesitation Leads to Kindness”).

Naturally, the world recognizes the problem and pities Syria. However, sympathy is not

the answer. The United Nations Secretary­General Ban Ki­Moon has attempted to change this by

commanding the allowance of 480,000 homeless refugees to enter foreign countries (“UN chief

urges more solidarity with Syrian refugees”). Additionally, encouraging additional

non­neighboring countries to participate in the acceptance of these immigrants has also been a

ultimate goal (“UN chief urges more solidarity with Syrian refugees”). Filippo Grandi, the UN

High Commissioner for Refugees, stated that “We cannot respond to a global refugee crisis by

closing doors and building fences.” (“UN chief urges more solidarity with Syrian refugees”).

When moving forward, his message is received both positively and negatively by foreign

countries as prejudices obstruct acceptance of immigrants. A “landmark multifaith coalition”

(“Helping Syrian Refugees”) has also been created to help the Syrian refugees residing in Jordan.

Composed of 29 organizations, this organization is estimated to raise considerable funds for the

unattended refugees (“Helping Syrian Refugees”).

This crisis is one that is urgent. As long as more refugees pour from their homeland and

seek safety in other countries, they continue to be greeted with grim living conditions. While

countries do display concern, compassion is not a provision of aid. Taking charge, putting

prejudices aside, and accepting more refugees will reduce the overflow of Syrian immigrants in

neighboring countries, eventually diminishing the impact of this crisis affecting people and

countries all over the world.

Poem About the Refugees

By Jimmy Jay Chassi, Phoebe Carry, & Maggie Sorrentino

Stone Cold, I stand there.

As I cry to the skies,

why must this happen?

What have I done wrong?

10 months or so have passed.

In those ten months, I have yet to take a shower.

3 days without food,

I start to forget what it tastes like.

Is this hell? I ask myself.

For if it is not, then what is?

I feel watched,

like a goldfish, in it’s tank.

But the owner is the entire world.

They watch what is happening,

but they don’t care.

Why?

It is not their children who are getting washed

in the same buckets as their shoes.

It is not their mothers’ and wives’ who must stand

in lines for hours and hours on end.

Someone help me.

From the Perspective of Me: Story of A Syrian Refugee By Jimmy Jay Chassi, Phoebe Carry, & Maggie Sorrentino

Purpose

Life is all about finding one’s purpose

One's reason for life

To change the lives of millions

Or to change the life of one

To achieve great things

To be a role model

To laugh and sing and sparkle and grow

Humanity

It's complicated

Elaborate

Flawed

And Beautiful

Sharing one’s fortune and favor

Responsibility

Caring for all those you love

Even when the light of day is under the control of sadness

All those you loath

And all those you have never met

Taking care of the sick

The sad

The brave, buried, and broken­hearted

Future

Unknown and mysterious

Uncontrollable yet so controllable

Planning ahead, setting goals, achieving them

Growing up, changing

Discovering our purpose

Love

Unexpected

Putting others before yourself

Uncontrollable

Like a beautiful storm

The need to share, aid, protect

Loving despite the circumstance

Loving without words

Loving without knowledge

Greed

Taking what isn’t yours

Protecting yourself and not all

Stabbing backs

Severing bonds

Money, money, money

My needs

Me not you

Explained excuses

Violence

Fighting brothers, stabbing sisters

Pride and persistence

Leaving millions alone, destroyed

Like a wilted flower

Torn up, broken hearted

Or leaving one

In the dark, with no place to turn

Emotional and physical

Love vs Hate

Jealousy

The fact that life isn’t fair

Finding the place you never had

Working hard, gaining nothing

Tears, sweat, blood

Nothing left but anger

Humanitarians becoming villains

Me vs. You

Me

Homeless, alone

Behind bars, wishing to be someone I’m not

So keep fighting

Tear souls, leave me breathless

Take it all, leave me empty

In the hands of people who don’t care

Who think I’m just another one of “them”

Who think I’m just another chore

I am a refugee

Protect me.