For the Mothers of the 276 girls abducted in Nigeria
#BringBackOurGirls
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. – Martin Luther King Jr.
I’m struggling with allowing my 11 year old daughter to travel alone in New York City.
That would be Ila, my tween girl. My lovely Lilli Bee. My mighty princess. I trust her to travel alone. I do. She’s capable and savvy. At her age I’d already clocked in my share of hours on the downtown Brooklyn bus. I travelled with friends mostly, sometimes alone. But I did it and felt safe enough in my world…maybe blinded by the ignorance of youth…but I felt safe. My mother felt confident sending me out in a world that would protect me in her absence…value my life enough to cry foul if anyone intended harm. It’s the only way any mother sends her child out into the world.
I’m sure the mothers of the 276 girls abducted in Nigeria felt confident too. And if not confident, perhaps settled enough through a covering of prayer. The kind we whisper under our breaths. Its part of the mama mantra – part prayer , part breathing exercise. In, 2,3,4 Jesus out, 2,3,4. Pay attention next time… this prayer keeps your mama heart alive. It’s part of your DNA…birthed at conception. From womb to world, mamas pray for the safety of their children. The universal cry, of every mother, goes a little something like this… “Lord please keep my child safe”.
I believe the mothers of the abducted girls prayed. Attending school, aspiring an education was risky business in this part of the world. Hard to imagine right? But it makes me think of children crossing segregation lines in the south. The not too long ago history of this country, when people of color had to risk their lives for the opportunity to attend school. Would you send your child to school under those circumstances? Change doesn’t happen without risk, without sometimes putting your life on the line. Change doesn’t happen without bloodshed…ask Jesus.
Last week I attended the annual gala for my daughters’ skating team. It’s a dress your best, rock your red carpet finest kind of event in celebration of the girls accomplishments. This year we graduated 5 seniors. 5 young women of excellence. Each accepted to institutions of higher learning…ready to make their mark on the world. We heard speeches from girls as young as 6 years old…each taking the opportunity to be platformed in stride. These girls are vocal and vibrant. Each told her story, shared her years of experience with such poise. Surrounded by family and friends in a love-filled room. Wrapped tight, secure in a blanket of familial grace. The night, the room was thick with potential. You could feel it in the air. Thick and heavy like honey.
In a room like that I couldn’t help but think of the 276 girls who were abducted from their school in Nigeria on April 14, 2014. I couldn’t help thinking about their mothers. The families they represent. The catastrophic holes left in their communities by their absence. In that room I felt their absence.
But I felt their presence too. The girls walked the stage alongside my daughter and her friends. I felt them. In the pretty in pink smiles and laughter. In the hot combed, braided and natural hair styles the girls wore, in every shade of black beauty represented. I felt them in the glory that is a young woman on the verge….of greatness…of a shopping trip, a load of laundry , a plane ride to Paris, a physics exam, a rendezvous-vous with a lover, a young woman on the verge of whatever the next thing is based on her choice…her liberty…her freedom.
I felt them.
I felt the pride and pain of their mothers. I felt the glorious optimism of bright futures filled with families and careers. I felt the sacrifice of each mother as she prayed and prepared for her daughters departure from the nest. I felt their mothers tears.
Because every girl has to leave home. Someday.
We expect to send our children to school or practice under the authority of trusted teachers and leaders. We expect them to come home. We imagine we live in a world where each life is equally valued. And if something like this happened at my daughters school the alarm would have sounded. There would be no sleep in this nation if an abduction like this had taken place in a school of 276 American girls. International alerts would have hit every news channel. This story would be news worthy. Had it happened anywhere else in the world… it would have.
But the tired narrative told of needy Africa…and needy Africans helps to perpetuate the problem. Could it be that world wide, people have had enough of Africa’s needs. The kidnapping of these girls just another problem in this troublesome place? This pit of hell hole known as the cradle of civilization? I have to admit, I wonder.
And who wants to “go there” but sometimes you have to. It seems something about the color of these girls’ skin makes this story unrelatable to the typical American family, therefore not newsworthy. That disgusts me. We’re already picking sides in this drama by only listing the names of the girls who are Christians.
Yes George Orwell…some people still seem to be more equal than others.
And by saying nothing we sanction it. We tell the world it’s ok. In our silence we give our blessing for this to happen again.
“Attacking and abducting young women simply for going to school is despicable and must never be tolerated,” Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, said in a statement. “The international community must make clear that all children deserve the chance to pursue an education without fear and that those responsible for these heinous crimes will be held accountable.”
I recognize this story has so many variables..so many paths one could wander down but this is the path I see from a Christian perspective and as a woman living in this world with brown skin. So I won’t give in. I won’t shut up. I won’t censor the truths about injustice and racism when things like this continue to happen. And you shouldn’t either. We’re commanded to tell the truth in love. But tell it we must. This is an attack on humanity. On every girl. On education. On opportunity. On freedom.
53 girls have escaped.
All hope is not lost….
my prayer…
Take me to the King
I don’t have much to bring
My heart is torn in pieces
It’s my offering
Take me to the King
Truth is I’m tired
Options are few
I’m trying to pray
But where are you?
I’m all churched out
Hurt and abused
I can’t fake
What’s left to do?
Truth is I’m weak
No strength to fly
No tears to cry
Even if I tried
But still my soul
Refuses to die
One touch will change my life
Take me to the King
I don’t have much to bring
My heart’s torn in pieces
It’s my offering
Lay me at the throne
Leave me there alone
To gaze upon Your glory
And sing to You this song
Please take me to the King – Tamela Mann
Bring back our girls.
Bring back our girls.
Bring back our girls.
…#bringbackourgirls
All hope is not lost….grant peace, set the captives free, show the way, undeserved grace and so much favor. NO FEAR. Amen.
And until they come home stay engaged. Click here for a link to a petition to sign and a “how-to” on drafting a letter to your elected official.
This post is an offering to the community at #TellHisStory…
Bring Back Our Girls : Why We Can’t Be Silent http://t.co/YjdMkPDBbZ
via @lishaepperson Bring Back Our Girls : Why We Can’t Be Silent http://t.co/SfTkqdhdNv #bringbackourgirls
Praying with you, Lisha. These girls are all our girls, because we are all mamas, and our hearts break together. yes, yes, yes…take us to the King. All hope is not lost.
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek recently posted…I {LOVE} Sunday::to call to mind and have hope in this…
And we have to cry out as if they are…this is unacceptable and if allowed to continue will only stand as a marker for the first time such a mass scale kidnapping occured. Can’t let that happen. Thank you for praying Patricia. Amen.
Lisha, you speak truth on a topic that wounds my heart. I meant to write on the topic on Sunday. I intend to do so this week. The pain is palpable in each of our souls. They have literally been wrenched from our very hearts. Hugs, Ali
Alison Hector recently posted…Blessed hope
Alison, this one hurts. Thank you for reading and I look forward to your words. Add them…to this little offering. They matter.
#speakthosethings, @lishaepperson ! Bring Back Our Girls : Why We Can’t Be Silent http://t.co/nMbr8hKWtZ
Bring Back Our Girls : Why We Can’t Be Silent http://t.co/VniSfsnGcv via @seespkhearmama
Powerful…. we can’t be silent I do agree and I have prayed for these little ones. It is not acceptable to sit silent. thank you for your words.
Sharon O recently posted…We sat with you and waited
And now, plan of action. Keep using the hashtag in your social media communities. People need to know. Thanks for stopping by.Sharon!
I see these faces, read reports and updates. My stomach turns inside out when I see a price of $12!!! I have a hard time wrapping my brain around this The fact is, when I look in the mirror I don’t see this face looking back at me. I can’t go there, but I can make it my business to be upset and tell those who haven’t heard what’s going on. Bless you, girl, for taking up the charge to speak out!
Amy Tilson recently posted…Saying Yes to Whatever – Rhinestone Jesus Review and Giveaway
Amy friend, sometimes it feels like we’re going backwards. I know all hope is not lost. The universal cry is for peace and we already know who wins.
all hope is not lost…#BringBackOurGirls
http://t.co/lTF2GxjAFU
“So I won’t give in. I won’t shut up….” @lishaepperson speaking with truth & hope #BringBackOurGirls
http://t.co/8blaTo4dcT
Amen, Lisha. AMEN. This is just horrific – thank you for bringing attention to it so beautifully.
Diana Trautwein recently posted…Surprised by YES – A Book Review: “Rhinestone Jesus” by Kristen Welch
Hey Diana..love seeing you around here. Thanks for encouraging words. This kind of thing is so hard – for everyone….I pray to tell it with grace.
Amazing post Lisha, very well needed point of view, thanks for speaking out on behalf of these precious children. #bringbackourgirls
Don’t we mother communally. Do we not need the village? Its time for the village to rise up and save those girls. Our girls.
Oh wow, Lisha.
So beautiful and so needed.
You have a gift of saying hard things gracefully.
Lori Harris recently posted…In Which I Get Weird on You
Hey Lori, I try to tell the story sensitively because its all super hard. In the end…it should be about love. If we can get back to that we’re golden. Love that you hear me.
SUCH POWER in YOUR TONGUE! amen.
My sweet husband reads my blog ya’ll.
Bring Back Our Girls : Why We Can’t Be Silent http://t.co/40gtqyo0oN #bringbackourgirls
Beautifully said, Lisha. It’s so hard to imagine how these mothers must feel to have their girls stolen. And it’s hard when we can’t do anything…except pray. We must continue to speak up. We must…for all girls in the world. That is why we were born here, now.
That’s where I went with it Jeri! What of their mothers. Prayer works and we’re compelled to proclaim the truth for a his glory. So speak we must. Let’s keep the prayers going!
RT @lishaepperson: Added a link for petitions you can sign. Most have not met their goals so click over and sign up
#BringBackOurGirls
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Hello there, my dear friend. Our paths have crossed again and I am blessed. You words touched my mother heart and twisted the Christian heart with just enough measure for prayer. Thank you. Thank you for obeying Him who has gifted you with words…His words for the world.
Chris Malkemes recently posted…Two Kinds of People
Hi Chris! This situation is heart breaking but we know He hears, He knows. My prayer- Come Jesus. come quick. Great connecting again.
Insightful, thoughtful words about #BringBackOurGirls by @lishaepperson http://t.co/hLgiwwPEig #TellHisStory
[…] We’re choosing silence for Mother’s Day. In solidarity with the mothers of the nearly 300 girls, kidnapped from their school in Nigeria and in partnership with Jumping Tandem, we’re redeeming the silence through prayer and reflection. Honoring those who mother …everywhere. To read more about it and for a link to petitions* you can sign to support efforts to #BringBackOurGirls, click here. […]
Thanks for RT Ashley!