teaday: tragedy

13:37

SLAVE TRADE IN LIBYA

S O R R O W

I was going to write an update blog post wittering on about this, that and the other. But I can’t. When a tragedy permeates my bubble, just like Grenfell Tower, my heart pangs with hurt. It is inexplicable, the pain is inexplicable. I selfishly try and iron clad my ignorance of the unfathomable pain and injustice occurring in the world, greedily disregarding the pricks and prods from 24-hour news outlets and hashtags to shield myself from having to empathise. How selfish of me. I feel anger at myself, but I know it’s a hopeless rage.

I am in the library as I write this, allowing myself to understand the egregious inhumane acts occurring in Libya. Reading online articles and watching documentaries. Grudgingly peeling skinfolds of endless ignorance around my eyes. And I’m just breaking down. I’m crying so much. Crying out of anger with myself. Crying out of sadness for the pain people are experiencing. Crying out of confusion. I cannot fully empathise/understand the inhumanity the migrants face for them to flee their home country to endure, not only the treacherous journey, but the huge trepidation and fear of potential death or slavery. In the documentary, most migrants expressed such pure hopelessness in regards to the life they left behind them, but no hope for the life they were risking it all to live. When someones expressing they have nothing left to lose and are willing to go through hell for the small chance relief, you are forced to imagine the hell they were in previously.

It's such a pitiful, desperately upsetting reality. My hurt just seems inadequate and futile, and it feels selfish to even hurt on their behalf. It does not achieve anything. It can’t compensate or even prepare to equate to the hurt these individuals feel. Such a hopeless sadness.

I have no desire to put a positive spin on this - I doubt there is one. If there is anything to come out of this:

Firstly I urge you to read up and watch some things to understand what these fellow human beings endure. Here are some quick links, the documentary gives a lot of insight into the conditions the migrants face:

Or alternatively just Google Libya slave trade.

2. Please sign the petition. It is really quick. Please let your humanity force you to sign: 1. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/205476

3. Please if you know anything more for me and others to get involved in to help, let me know in the comments or on Twitter.

I’m lost for words at how sickening this is. Dejected. Ross Kemp said something at the end of the documentary that is poignantly fractured:

we use words sometimes like, humanitarian disaster, but it's not until it confronts you like this …how many people are drowning and no one knows about them.

Words sometimes do not hold the potency of the feeling it’s meant to convey- and the word that characterises this tragedy is pure Sorrow.

My prayers, for all it can mean, goes out to them. And my action, for all it can do, reaches out too.

Tea.

02:35

GRENFEL TOWER

On the 14th of June 2017 tragedy hit London.

The sort of tragedy that would strike a dagger of pain into anyone’s heart.

The sort of tragedy whereby the sheer force of the calamity is cumbersome enough to bring humanity together in wretched unity to weep the loss of human lives.

The sort of tragedy can makes you ask, with fiery emotion or a dejected soul, “how could this happen?”

How on earth could this happen?

I had a really interesting conversation with two friends a couple days ago about the Grenfell Tower tragedy and we discussed the politics, the circumstances and the repercussions of the calamity. But what took paramount in the whole discussion was the immense sorrow and empathy we shared for the victims. It should always come back to the victims. And that’s what this post is about- the lost souls of Grenfell and their loving and grieving families.

I’m not going to talk politics in this post, as I don’t want to divert this post from just being a simple tribute to the victims. Even though I know this post can’t and isn’t soothing any of the grief, I just want to write my condolences. If the fraction of the grief I have in comparison to those directly affected is enough to hurt this much, then I can’t begin the comprehend how the full force of pain must feel- and for that I can’t idly stay silent.

I wrote this on Facebook previously, and it succinctly explains my feelings:

“Unbelievably sad, waking up to the recent tragedies. Someone aptly said on twitter that we must strive against becoming desensitised to these calamities. Force ourselves to remember the humans behind the numbers. I found myself grieving for the victims but also really trying to not think about it. Oh only if the victims had such luxury.

It's incredibly painful to truly empathise but it's a practice that is entirely and completely necessary. Not only for those afflictions in close proximity but for the 'me and you' in distant lands.All I can offer currently is my honest and raw sympathy for all the victims and their loved ones. It's not enough, not even close, and that hurts.”

The fact that their deaths were avoidable and as a result senseless negligence makes me both angry and sad. The fact outside the UK numerous deaths are also as a result of senseless actions- intensified the anger and sadness.

But we can at least make sure unfortunate deaths like this do not occur in vain, by using the anger and pain that is felt to fiercely try and campaign to improve wider society in what ever way we see fit moving forward.

Again I say this with all sincerity, I am sorry Grenfell, I weep with you. And I will strive to not forget.

Tea x

SLAVE TRADE IN LIBYA

S O R R O W

GRENFEL TOWER

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