More concrete action needed for return of kidnapped schoolgirls
Earlier this year, before Kim Kardashian “broke the Internet,” the web was stirring with support for #BringBackOurGirls, a campaign supported by the likes of Michelle Obama to safely return a group of schoolgirls who were kidnapped by the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram. Fueled by social media activism and celebrity support, the campaign took over the airwaves and pushed to put pressure on Boko Haram to release the schoolgirls. Fast-forward to today, and not much has changed. In fact, the situation has worsened. Boko Haram seized control of Chibok, the town from which it kidnapped those 276 schoolgirls. The issue underscores a glaring problem in today’s world: hashtags aren’t enough.
Back in May when #BringBackOurGirls was in full force, it seemed as if the entire world was going to rally behind the girls and force their release. Now, six months later, there’s still no definitive word on their possible release. On Nov. 1, Reuters reported that a man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said that those girls had been “married off” to the group’s fighters.
Internet activism isn’t all misdirected. It brings issues to the limelight and draws attention to the social changes that need to be made. Yet, when it comes to the level of heightened awareness that #BringBackOurGirls was given, why hasn’t anything changed? Admittedly, there are factors and dynamics at play that are not solely in society’s control. But when Internet activism turns into a social trend that is appealing to join because everyone else is, the true nature and mission of the activism is misconstrued and lost.
The fall of Chibok is a significant failure. When Boko Haram initially stormed the village, a brief media firestorm might have temporarily shaken the terrorist group, but it is now again on the rise to gain more power and influence in Nigeria. The country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has failed to wield influence, and the military has fallen short. Hundreds of schoolchildren should not have to live in fear to receive an education, and those who have been kidnapped deserve more efforts to free them than the Nigerian government, military and global community are offering. The capturing of Chibok represents the growing importance of preventing Boko Haram from further establishing a stronghold in Nigeria and the consequences of allowing a terrorist organization to seize control.
The global campaign waged to emphasize the dreadful acts committed by Boko Haram was a positive step forward in informing the world of the current events in Nigeria. Now, as the fervor and passion have wavered, social activism is tasked with reviving the campaign and making it known that Boko Haram hasn’t faltered, but is in fact gaining more power. The reason Boko Haram’s capture of hundreds of schoolgirls and their town is significant is because it stands in the way of education. Just as 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan triumphed for education in the most courageous of acts, the 276 schoolgirls who have been kidnapped and remain hostages of Boko Haram stand as reminders of the need to fight terrorism with methods that not only spread awareness, but also make a real impact. It’s a tall order to initiate tangible change in social and Internet activism, but it’s up to supporters of the school children to make it known to the world what is going on. #BringBackOurGirls.
Athanasius Georgy is a sophomore majoring in biological sciences. His column, “On the World Stage,” runs Thursdays.
I’ve got a novel idea. Let’s do nothing. Let the Muslims deal with their own
problems for a change. Let’s let countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait
with their endless ocean of money and Western-bought armaments figure it out
instead. Surely they – being practitioners of the religion of compassion and
peace – will step right up to the plate in our stead.
OK, you caught me there. You knew I was kidding! You knew what I know which
is that there is no answer to these Islamic cesspools. Whatever we do will be
discredited and if we do nothing then Syria will become just another country in
the endless line of Hell on Earth Islamic countries.
We cannot save Muslims from themselves. It is like trying to save an
alcoholic. Until they are ready to abandon their religion – a religion that
emphasizes aggression and violence and sadism – anything we do will simply be a
band-aid on a gaping wound.
Let them go through their DTs on their own. Only then will they be ready for
our friendship and help, and only then will we find a way forward together as
friends.
“More Concrete Action Needed for Return of Kidnapped Schoolgirls Needed” Not sure if this silly headline is by the author, Athanasius Georgy. What concert action?” George writes further “The country’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has failed to wield influence, and the military has fallen short.”
Exactly. So what needs to be done? More musical benefit shows? More internet websites? Use “diplomacy” against Boko Haram? No. They are savage, fanatical and virulent and not subject to talk and palaver. The only effective solution would be for the UN or other armed body to send a lot of troops and resources to comb a huge area in Africa to find and destroy Boko Haram. That isn’t going to happen. No one in the UN has appetite for this, and no one is suggesting that our country send its troops to fight Boko Haram. So what will be done? Not much. Boko Haram will continue their hideous actions until a powerful force takes them on. Sad, but there it is.