[Image descriptions: Graphics on green backgrounds titled, ‘This is important.’ The watermark reads @ Shivuan_Elizabeth. Transcriptions follow.
A silent genocide is happening in Congo, and a man was so desperate for the world to acknowledge the suffering of his people that he set himself on fire.
Why would a Congolese man set his own self on fire?
While the answer is absolutely heartbreaking, it is also simple. Society does not respect, cherish, or value Black bodies. Although it is a degrading and dehumanizing realization, it is understood by Black and brown people that the part of us that is most appealing to others is our pain and our trauma. So while it was understood that he would lose his life through this act, it was also understood that the cries of the Congolese people would continue to be overlooked unless he provided the world with the trauma [censored: porn] of Black bodies that they feast on.
What is happening in Congo?
The conflict and the genocide of the Congolese people is not new however the uptick of violence against them has risen with the increased demand for resources that aid in the production of clean energy. While Congo did gain independence after years of being colonized, oppressed, enslaved, and mass murdered by Belgium, they are currently ongoing the horrors of being trafficked, raped, murdered, and forced to work for little to no money by extremists militant groups.
What do extremist militant groups want with Congolese people?
As the demand for the resources needed to provide clean energy increases, militant groups are encouraged by money from the western world/ corporations to increase the supply of materials. This is done so at the expense of the safety, well-being, and lives of the Congolese people.
What kind of horrors are the people in Congo experiencing?
Aside from the trauma from witnessing the continuous genocide of their people and the possibility of being killed, Cobalt and a lot of the other materials being mined are highly toxic and should not be handled unless given the proper equipment and tools. This is obviously not the case for those mining the materials and people are being forced to touch Cobalt(which is extremely toxic) with their bare hands while also inhaling its fumes. Among these people are thousanda of children.
Millions of people in Congo are currently facing displacement due to the high levels of trafficking taking place in order to produce more materials for western corporations. Women are experiencing unspeakable amounts of sexual violence in the mining areas and children are becoming sick from being exposed to toxic materials, exhaustion, and malnutrition. There are also thousands of children who are not currently receiving any kind of foundational level education due to them being forced to work in the mines.
12+ million have died since the start of this genocide
6+ million have been killed since the start of this genocide
5+ million have been displaced since the start of this genocide
40+ women are raped hourly since the start of this genocide
How are we complicit in this genocide and how can we help?
The western governments and corporations are well aware of the conditions the people of Congo are working under and the atrocities they are facing, however with Congo producing over 60% of the worlds supply of Cobalt and generating billions of dollars worth of exports, they continue to look the other way.
We can show up for the Congolese people through, educating ourselves, advocating for their humanitarian aid, signing petitions, and donating to reputableorganizations, however the biggest most effective way we can show up for them in this moment is by putting a pause on our over consumption of electronics, technology, and vehicles, which all use the materials that people in Congo are currently being killed to produce.
While having access to communication devices and computers may be necessary in todays world, it is not necessary to constantly upgrade our devices in order to have the newest models. When absolutely necessary to purchase consider buying used. \End descriptions]
[Plain text: Don’t forget about the Congo!! \End PT]
