hello dear ones,
i am sending love to you today and amplifying some voices and pieces that speak truth to the ongoing genocide and violence happening in Palestine, the DRC, and Sudan. i would love for people to share anything we should read, donate to, or give our attention and witnessing to in the comment section below. view this only as one of many points of entry.
on that vein, i know there are many other nations suffering genocidal, imperialist, and/or colonial violence that also deserve our attention, such as Haiti, Myanmar, China (against Uyghur people) and much more. if you have information and/or organizations to uplift, please do share in the comments.
i also know there is pressure to look away, to move on, to erase, to forget β and iβm so proud of (and also, truthfully, surprised by) the sustained attention that this moment has shown is possible. may we never stop talking about genocide and colonial violence until they become collective nightmares and memories of the past. As Indian author and revolutionary Arundhati Roy says in words I come back to again and again:
βAnother world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.β β Arundhati Roy
i am sending love to you always. <3
7 readings that moved me:
1. Our boys & men deserve to live, not just our women & children by Dr. Ayesha Khan of
2. βLike a horror movieβ: The men defending their homes in Sudanβs bloody war by Anson Zhang for Aljazeera
3. There Is No Revolution without Madness. by
4. The Congo: From Leopold to Kabila: A People's History by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja
thank you to
for amplifying these two books written by Congolese people, The Congo: From Leopold to Kabila: A People's History by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja and The History of Congo by Ch. Didier Gondola rather than the previous book I had highlighted, which I included the critique of below:5. Critique of Cobalt Red: Cobalt Red: a regressive, deeply flawed account of Congoβs mining industry by Sarah Katz-Lavigne & EspΓ©rant Mwishamali Lukobo
6. With what are you apologizing? by PanasheΒ Chigumadzi
7. Poem: Modern Sudanese Poetry by Safia Elhillo
Organizations:
You can learn more about the ongoing catastrophes and what we can do to help from my dear friend Alex at
β Alex is an incredible being and resource for all things love and liberation and I hope you will check out his Substack for daily information and education to birth the world we know we are all capable of living in.DR Congo π¨π©
Congolese-led organizations
β Panzi Foundationβ is renowned for its work in treating survivors of sexual violence. The foundation supports survivors of gender-based violence.Β
β HEAL Africaβ Based in Goma, HEAL Africa runs a hospital and provides health care, training, and community development programs.
β UCOFEMβ (Union Congolaise des Femmes des MΓ©dias): An organization focused on womenβs rights and gender equality.
International organizations
β International Rescue Committeeβ
Sudan πΈπ©
Thank you
for collecting, researching, and amplifying the below β¬οΈβ¬οΈβ¬οΈCommunity-based Mutual Aid Groups: These grassroots networks, evolving from neighborhood activist networks, have been leading the local humanitarian response, providing meals, sheltering displaced people, supporting hospitals, and securing food and water supplies.
Sudan Doctors Trade Union: This union reported on the state of healthcare facilities and has been a part of the medical response during the conflict. Learn more here:
Sudanese Resistance Committees: These committees, which played a role in the protests against former leader Omar al-Bashir, have been involved in filling gaps left by international aid groups, particularly in terms of providing shelter and securing basic needs for the affected populations.
International orgs:
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP): The WFP has been instrumental in providing food assistance and addressing food insecurity in Sudan.
Muslim Aid: Established in Sudan in 1991, Muslim Aid has been offering emergency response and aid programs, including healthcare, economic empowerment, and water and sanitation facilities.
European Union Humanitarian Aid: The EU has set up an air bridge to deliver essential aid, including water, sanitation, and shelter equipment, to Sudan, handing over supplies to organizations like UNICEF and the World Food Programme for distribution.
Palestine π΅πΈ
Medical Aid for Palestiniansβ is on the ground in Gaza where they are working to stock hospitals with essential drugs,disposables and other healthcare supplies.
β Palestine Childrenβs Relief Fundβ is the primary humanitarian organization in Palestine. They deliver crucial, life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid on the ground
β The World Food Programβ has been distributing fresh bread, canned food and ready-to-eat food to those who sought refuge in United Nations Relief and Works Agency shelters in Gaza
β Doctors Without Bordersβ is providing support to hospitals and health facilities in Gaza
β UNRWAβ is providing medical support, trauma relief, and food assistance on the ground in Gaza
Please do share more!!! Free Haiti, Free Puerto Rico, Free Congo, Free Sudan, Free Palestine.
all my love <3
Ayanda
I appreciate you sharing these resources -- as a Congolese person, I am critical of what is considered to be a resource on DRC -- people online are largely sharing books & documentaries by non Congolese people & not taking into account that such sources are colonial & do not help in building solidarity with Congolese people.
I wouldnβt recommend Cobalt Red or other history books on Congo written by non Congolese people & encourage people to read this review of Cobalt Red & to read books on Congo by Congolese authors.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/cobalt-red-siddharth-kara-democratic-republic-congo-book-review/
Books:
The Congo from Leopold to Kabila: A People's History by Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja
The History of Congo by Ch. Didier Gondola
Although friends of congo offers great ressources. They are not a safe space for congolese youth. There has been SA allegations against their spokesperson Kambale Musavuli by young congolese women in the diaspora ehile organizing with FOTC. They also have a reputation of using and leaving Congolese youth activist in congo to fend for themselves specially once theyβve been ousted from their congo du to government threats.
Look up @genocost and gomactif on IG these are congolese grassroots organizations to support that focus on the crisis.