Voices of Compassion for Black Lives Matter
By Annabel Mumba
Annabel Mumba is AEP’s Donor Relations Coordinator in Zambia. She is a Scholarship Fund recipient, high school graduate, and one of our latest Success Stories. Today, she shares the voices of AEP’s Zambian staff and youth leaders as they watch with hearts open from afar the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States.
I have been following #BlackLivesMatter intently for a while now. Honestly, I have felt so bad about the cases of police violence against African Americans. But the recent killing of George Floyd feels different. Every time I watch the video, I think about how inhuman the police were and how they should defend people and not kill them.
Jack, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
Mirriam, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
Davy, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
The resulting Black Lives Matter protests made me realize that we are actually fighting against each other and not a "certain race." So to be a part of dialogue and to support in solidarity these demonstrations, some of my colleagues and our youth leaders shared their thoughts and feelings:
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Jack, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
"Here in Zambia, injustice is based on tribal grounds. Some tribes feel they are more superior than others. And this has brought hate among us. We can solve this problem by sensitizing people about the dangers of tribalism and racism. And also show some love and respect for every race or tribe. As humans we all depend on one another for development of our lives. Every life matters.”
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Angela, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
"I feel there is need to have love for one another regardless of our race. This will avoid biases and discrimination among ourselves. On a societal level, we need to advocate for unity among the people.”
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Natasha, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
"The death of George Floyd really impacted me so much because I'm also an African and I'm black. Whatever injustice has been done to him, for the fact that we are of the same Melanin, it really hurts. It's something that has also injured my soul because it has been done to a brother who is not just an ordinary person.”
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Lumuno Chongo, AEP Programs Director
"The killing of George Floyd and other black people is so heartbreaking. I can't seem to understand how after so many years the black man is still viewed as inferior and worthless to society. How black people have been viewed as a threat to society is so sad. Seeing that many have lost their lives to people who are supposed to bring justice and peace to society. I think change can come when we continue having racial conversations. The conversation can't stop till every voice is heard and given an opportunity. We are far from having equal communities, so we need to continue the conversations.”
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Mirriam, AEP College Scholarship Recipient"
All kinds of injustice happen almost every day, all around the world, which may be because you have a different religion, country, color, or gender.
What we can do about this ... we can stand together, come to together as one. We are all human beings and we are the same inside. Let's unify.”
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Davy, AEP College Scholarship Recipient
"When I heard about the death of George Floyd I felt bad. I had to ask myself a question, what really made the police officer kill him instead of interrogating him?”
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