#yali2016

My Sudan

I was told to tell my story, so that I will try to do.

My story is of my nation, my people, my land and a sky that is bright blue...

I come from a country that is torn. Where babies die, before they’re born. Where mothers morn their children, fathers, brothers, and their unborn.

A country where I’m not African enough because I’m not black enough and where I’m not Arab enough because I’m not white enough. A country that split into half because one side was the wrong shade of black and because one side worshipped Jesus and the other worshiped another almighty god.

They broke up our land, and with it they broke our hearts. Together we were strong, but now we suffer, because we're apart.

I come from a country that is torn. Where people kill each other for money, power and the throne. We’re so used to wars that we don't know how to live in peace. We’re taught not to trust the system, the government or the police. Apparently everybody wants to save us, so we’ve been plagued with hatred, illness and disease.

But if that’s all you know about my country, then let me set things straight. We’re a people who see death everyday, yet we are never afraid.

They tell us we’re poor, but I think we’re quite rich. Not in money of course, but in love, history and culture that is.

They tell us we’re weak, but I think we’re quite strong. And even though I sometimes think god dislikes us, we still carry on... We’ve made it through wars, hunger and thirst, so don’t tell me god is fair, because it seems like we’re cursed.

We’re simple people, we believe in honor, loyalty and respect. We honor our guests and keep our doors open; and our elders we do not neglect.

Life may be hard, but my people always smile. And after every long, painful day, we’ll go sit and have some tea on the Nile.

Talking about the Nile, my country is where the two Niles meet, and even though one is blue and one is white, in perfect harmony they flow and they thrive...

We used to be the Kingdom of Kush, an empire so powerful and strong. I don’t know what happened but somewhere in history, something went wrong. My vision for my people is that one day we can be free. Free of poverty and discrimination, united and maybe… maybe someday we can agree to disagree. We love to speak of diversity. Africa is so big, and it’s so diverse, and we’re all so different. However, is it our diversity that makes us special, or our humanity at the end? But anyway, it seems like being “different” has become the new world trend…  

Our humanity unites us, and not the color of our skin. It shouldn’t matter who you love or which god you believe in!