By Heloise Pearson-Child (English Literature yr 1)
Have you ever been inspired to go out and help others? To write that book? To meet those people? To do that charity idea? Well after spending just 40 minutes with Sophie Nicholls, a poet whose writing has raised awareness to the plight and strength of refugees, I saw an entire class of Literature students absolutely alive with encouragement. Never since the Viral Motivational Speech by Shia LaBeouf have a group of people been so ready to ‘Just Do It’. But why wouldn’t they be? Sophie Nicholls is living proof the power literature still holds in our world. During a time of rapid technological change and internet everything, words upon a page are as vital to society as they have ever been, as proven by Sophie Nicholls’ book of poetry, Refugee.
How often have we seen refugees as a group of victims? How often have we pitied them? Let’s face it, we all have, and that’s our biggest mistake. We see refugees as a collective group. As Victims. But worst of all, we simply ‘see’. We never take part, try to get to know their stories, or even actively try to change the situation. Yes we all can comment on a quote by David Cameron. We can all share that post about raising awareness. But we could be doing so much more!
Sophie’s poetry does more than these posts could ever do, because she brings us into the lives of the refugees. The group of people become individuals, each with their own inspiring and tragic story of survival, strength and cruel misfortune at the hands of others. Those ‘victims’ become strong, independent human beings, who deserve not our pity, but our help and kindness. They deserve a place to belong. They deserve a home. A community. A job. And basic human rights. They need us not to just see, they need us to talk about them, write about them, raise awareness about them. Writing is one of humanity’s greatest tools. It’s the permanent engraving of our own language, which allows us to tell and order our own stories that couldn’t be told without it. For refugees it can help them conquer the torture and torment they faced. For readers it gives us a connection to those suffering. It breaks down the boundary and makes their plight personal. And for a country, it can be spark that lights the fire of change.
So why not become that change? Well after seeing the way my seminar group reacted to Sophie’s lecture, we might just be. To see a group of students discuss the issues of politics and humanities in a way that would floor politicians has raised awareness of the power we all have. We all could be those people writing books and getting the word of the suffering out. We all could be that activist helping refugees write about the trauma, and just simply being a friend to them. We all can be that voice to tell government and law makers how we feel about the degradation of others.
Why let media control our lives, when we can control media! Sure we can’t control the news, but we can make news. Instead of sharing the photograph about refugees, be the person in the photograph, talking and helping refugees. Instead of commenting on the disgraceful quote by yet another prime minister, be the person in the quote. Be the inspiration that appears on people newsfeeds and encourages them to ‘Just Do It’! Finally, instead of liking some post about a shocking new book, art, news story etc. Be the one making that post. Write a controversial book. Do eye-opening graffiti that’ll annoy a community. Be the protester on the news. Be the blogger that doesn’t believe in the government. We can all be Sophie Nicholls; we all have our talents and strengths. So instead of sitting on our sofas, listening to everyone else and giving away useless pity; let’s be the leader of a change. One that sees humans not a swarm. Strength instead of weakness. And people with real stories that deserve our respect.
Today I watched a group of students become inspired to make a change. But who will inspire the students to follow? It could be you.