As we celebrate our fourth year of independence, not only do we celebrate the diversity of our peopl

As we celebrate our fourth year of independence, not only do we celebrate the diversity of our people, our customs, our tribes, our personalities and our interests. We may also explore, develop and celebrate the diversity of our own emotions. Whether we are sad, disappointed, satisfied, jubilant, skeptical, frustrated, hopeful, or a mixture of these feelings we must not feel ashamed of our own intricate emotions & our even more complex nation. Each emotion expresses the need to recognize both the good bad and in between qualities we have constructed as a nation in the last four years. Our identity was recognized by all on July 9th 2011, but know that the birth of freedom and independence developed in the minds of our ancestors at the very start of injustice. The notion of freedom once united a diverse group of individuals, families, clans, and tribes. Let us use this same spirit to unite and be free of oppression, corruption, nepotism, sexism, imperialism, slavery, abuse, neglect, displacement, and the list goes on. We’re all passionate about different issues…express your emotions, let’s be empathetic and help each other process these emotions in creative ways to make positive change. Just as we can discuss more than one issue at a time, we can feel more than one emotion about our current state. I am a proud daughter of South Sudan. I am afraid and saddened by our neglected issues and the lives we continue to lose, but I love my identity and I’m hopeful for the many changes to come. South Sudanese, you are NOT a ‘failure’ you are young, loved and important. Be mindful and be revolutionary.

Photo inspired by Mari Malek (on the cover of L'Etage Magazine January 2013)

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