Research Essay Utilizes Two Poems from END SARS RHYTHMS and IHRAF's Webinar Paper

 

RESEARCH ESSAY UTILIZES TWO POEMS FROM END SARS RHYTHMS AND IHRAF'S WEBINAR PAPER

 

By: Wole Adedoyin (Director, IHRAF African Secretariat)

The research essay "Social Contradictions and Protest in the #EndSARS Poetry of Frank Kaliati and Nwokeabia Ifeanyi John" by Inyang Eme Ita (17/031144069), a graduating student from the Department of English and Literary Studies at the University of Calabar, focuses on the theme of police brutality and social protest as depicted in the poetry of a Malawian and Nigerian poets.

 

The essay explores the ways in which the poets express the contradictions and tensions in Nigerian and Malawian societies through their works, as well as the role of poetry in documenting social protest movements.

 

The two poems were taken from the END SARS RYTHMS edited by Terseer Sam Baki and Wole Adedoyin and published in paperback by the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) in New York, USA. It was a collaborative effort of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, SYNW, and the International Human Rights Arts Festival, IHRAF, to harness the thoughts, feelings and responses of Nigerian artists and creative writers and the international writing community on the theme of police brutality, assault and battery.

The first poem analyzed in the essay is “State Armed Robber Squads (SARS)" by Frank Kaliati expresses the brutality of the Nigerian police force, specifically the State Armed Robbers Squad (SARS), towards the citizens they are supposed to protect. The poet portrays the law as being lawless, raping the country of its peace and fraternity. The police force is likened to a deadly virus, with heavy black boots that are polished in black blood, and whose actions have resulted in the death and suffering of many Nigerians, leaving poverty-stricken mothers widowed and malnourished babies orphaned.

The poet highlights the betrayal of the police force, who have sworn to protect the citizens but instead unleash terror on them. The poem suggests that the spirits of the old have abandoned the country and the birds no longer sing sweet melodies in the morning, replaced by gunshots and beatings. Despite this, the people continue to fight back against the police force, armed with justice.

The second poem is " How Our Lights Are Put Off" by Nwokeabia Ifeanyi John. The poem describes the violent events that occurred at the Lekki toll gate in Nigeria, where peaceful protesters were demanding justice for voiceless victims. The protesters were met with violence from the authorities who shot at them, resulting in a sea of red splattered everywhere. The poet uses the metaphor of the lights being put off to describe the loss of hope and the anthem of patriotism becoming a dirge. However, the poet suggests that darkness cannot end life, and the burning fires of the minds of those who have been affected will forever be ignited.

The essay draws on the lecture paper presented by Onyekachi Peter Onuoha at the IHRAF's African Chapter webinar, which explores the role of literature in human rights. The paper argues that literature has the power to document human rights abuses and to provide a platform for protest and advocacy. The essay uses this framework to analyze the two poems and their contribution to the #EndSARS movement.

The essay also discusses the context of the #EndSARS movement, including the history of police brutality in Nigeria and the social and political factors that contributed to the protests. It highlights the role of social media and online activism in mobilizing the movement and the challenges faced by protesters, including violence and repression by the authorities.

The essay argues that the two poems provide powerful and insightful perspectives on the #EndSARS movement, and that they contribute to a growing body of literature documenting social protest in Nigeria. It also discusses the importance of poetry as a form of social commentary and resistance, and the ways in which it can inspire and motivate social change.

The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of documenting and analyzing social protest movements, such as #EndSARS, in order to understand the complexities of social and political change. It suggests that literature, and poetry in particular, can play a vital role in this process, by providing a voice for marginalized communities and by challenging dominant narratives and structures of power.