I know that the title is bordering on petty but it doesn’t make it any less true. No one seems to care about black death. And no Steven, I don’t mean the bubonic plague. I mean the death of black people in any capacity. Especially in situations of genocide, holocausts and wars.

I first heard about Palestine last year. I was truly distraught. Innocent men, women and children were getting killed. Hospitals were being bombed and the death toll was always on the rise. As of today, most Palestinians have fled to Rafah where they are getting mercilessly slaughtered. Every news channel and social media page you could think of was and is covering the atrocities taking place in Africa. There was scarcely, if not any news on anything else.

One uneventful afternoon I was doing some good old-fashioned bed rotting and doom scrolling (I think it’s suffice to say that that is the most Gen Z coded combination of chaos as well as the most Gen Z statement I have ever pieced together!) anyway, back to the present. Like I previously stated, I was doom-scrolling on TikTok when I discovered a video shedding light on a silent genocide taking place in Congo. Once I stumbled across the atrocities in Congo, I was then exposed to the war taking place in Sudan.

I was struck by why it was titled “a silent genocide”. In 2024? In a time when everything is posted or exposed on social media and news channels? I decided to do a deep dive and research into what was happening in Congo. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure if I’m glad I sought information about what was happening or not. HOOOOOOOOLD ONNN, HEAAAR ME OUT! I don’t mean that I’m disappointed I was exposed to the reality of Congo and Sudan, I’m just saying that it was so gut-wrenching and absolutely debilitating to witness so much suffering and descriptions of horrific deaths.

Children were and are dying. Women were and are getting sexually assaulted. People were and are getting slaughtered like animals. So much blood was getting spilled and no one seemed to care. So much blood is getting spilled till this day and no one cares. I was and still am beside myself with disappointment at myself and everyone else. Especially my black brothers and sisters. Why? Because it’s no secret that the rest of the world doesn’t seem to care about the black person. Not even the black person cares about the black person. Therefore, we don’t care about black death.

A man had to set himself on fire in Congo so that the world could finally open up their eyes to what was happening in Congo. He had to publicly take his own life so that we could care enough. You can’t tell me that help and attention on issues can often times be racially biased. Shoot me, but it’s true. Having to do a deep dive about the atrocities in Congo and Sudan was a reality check for me. No influencer, celebrity or anyone with influence was talking about Congo or Sudan. It made me realise how black people are perceived by the rest of the world. Congo had to piggyback off of the Free Palestine movement. Sudan also had to ride off of this movement.

Our lives are disposal and expendable to the entire world so with that knowledge one would think that we would be quick to help preserve our own lives. One would think we would be quick to protect each other. One would think we would be quick to spread awareness about each other for each other because who else will do it? I came to the sobering realisation that we can’t even extend a hand to pull ourselves up. And if we can’t do it for ourselves, how will we seek the help of the only good that is still in the world? We can’t reach out and scream for aid from other groups of people before we recognise that we can start bridging that gap together and among ourselves first.

I get it. Everything I alluded to was all talk and no action. In fact, question stands. What is it that I am ranting about on this week’s issue? Well, I suppose I’ll put it out there bluntly: You and the rest of the media doesn’t care about the atrocities taking place in Congo and Sudan. Myself included. Well, that was my reality until I finally found out.

Concealed and shrouded from the media are what I call the genocides or holocausts (genocausts) taking place in Congo and Sudan. Why, because greedy little human beings are slaughtering Congolese people so that they can steal or buy cobalt at very cheap prices whilst working their cruelly amassed Congolese slaves to death. I know the word slave is dirty and that it pushes a lot of buttons. However, that is the reality of what a lot of Congolese people have been reduced to and it is slavery.

Why we’re so desensitised to black death.

The media has long since portrayed an image of poverty stricken and war ridden Africa to keep the whole world distracted with this myopic stereotype while they sneak into Africa through the back door and plunder. But I digress. Anyway, because of that imagery I think people have become somewhat indifferent or ambivalent to the deaths in Africa. Media often portrays violence against black people differently than violence against white people. There can be a lack of coverage, biased reporting, or sensationalism that fails to capture the humanity of black victims. This skewed representation can lead to desensitisation among the public. Media and societal narratives sometimes blame black victims for their own suffering, perpetuating stereotypes and reducing empathy.

Colonialism and Slavery.

 The legacy of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade dehumanised black people, establishing long-lasting racial hierarchies and stereotypes that persist to this day. They said we’re monkeys so our deaths are justified by the virtue of us being ‘apes’. Poppycock.

Racial Violence.

 Throughout history, black communities have faced disproportionate violence and persecution, often without accountability for the perpetrators. This has normalised violence against black people to some extent. This mindset is beyond disgusting and we’ve all probably had it or experienced. I distinctly remember telling my friend that a white person had nicked something from a nearby supermarket and was caught. I remember her gasping and asking, shock etched on her face, “Do white people also steal?”. I just sighed in disbelief. Because what could I say? What was there to say?

Socioeconomic Disparities.

Black communities often face socioeconomic disadvantages, leading to higher exposure to violence, poor living conditions, and limited access to resources and opportunities. This can create a perception that violence and death are more “expected” in these communities. Because of crime rates and black people somehow being caught up in violent situations means black people used to dying or some poppycock like that. With that mindset, it’s no surprise people aren’t phased by the death of black people.

Ingroup vs. Outgroup Dynamics.

People often feel more empathy towards those they perceive as similar to themselves (ingroup) and less towards those they see as different (outgroup). Racial biases can influence these perceptions, leading to less empathy for black victims. SEE WHY I ALWAYS SAY WE SHOULD START MOVING FOR SELF? BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WILL HELP…but, I digress.

Why is all this happening?

When white people among other groups of people flocked to Africa to colonise the entire continent, they did a lot of irreparable harm. Africa, a continent ever so beautiful and large was rich in resources and minerals. And it still is today. Any mineral you can think of, I bet you my entire Harry Potter novel collection that one or two African countries have it.

When the imperialists colonised Africa they decided to purge and plunder the entire continent. I mean why not? Colonisers do that as the definition we have come to know illustrates that colonisation refers to settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area. Control is neither a bad or good thing. It is how, where, when and to whom the control is exercised. Colonisers more often that not exercised their control in an absolutely EVIL and DESRUCTIVE way. How you may ask? Well, you’ll understand how awful it was when you read up on apartheid in South Africa and the racial slurs they used against black people and continue to use today. You’ll understand by how warped and diluted our cultures have become whereby you’ll discover that we hardly know ourselves anymore. You’ll understand the effects by the state of our economies (although we can blame some of our leaders for this), you’ll understand by what happened to Congo in 19^th Century and what continues to happen to it today.

Back when that nasty rat of a king Leopold II of Belgium colonised and occupied Congo, he thought it would be a swell idea to chop the limbs off of the people who didn’t meet his demand for rubber I suppose since black people were likened to animals, maybe the king rationalised that chopping off Congolese people’s hands and feet was a punishment that they deserved or some other sick and twisted rationale I couldn’t begin to fathom or want to fathom.

However, I think I’ve been dragging for far too long. Let me rip into the atrocities that are happening into Congo, how we all suck as humans (what’s new, lol?) and how we can try and lend a helping hand.

What’s going on?

All in the name of your luxurious lifestyle…

Well, we live in an age where technology is all the rage. Granted, technology is all the rage and yet our phones and laptops are some of the very reasons why Congolese people are getting slaughtered. Those fancy Tesla cars we all aspire to prop our pretty butts in are assembled from plundering, spilled blood and death. Why?  Well, it’s because The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) holds significant cobalt reserves, which are among the largest in the world. As of recent estimates, the DRC possesses about 3.5 million metric tons of cobalt reserves. The country is the leading producer of cobalt globally, accounting for more than 70% of the world’s supply. 70% is not a joke, is it? That’s one country producing cobalt for EVERYONE.

According to Statista, Congo is the leading producer of Cobalt in the entire world. Congo has the largest cobalt reserve.  One Madhumitha Jaganmohan says that in 2023, the mine production of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) totalled an estimated 170,000 metric tons, the peak production volume in the indicated period. DR Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt from mines, accounting for over 70 percent of global cobalt mine production in 2023.

Cobalt from the DR Congo

Cobalt is a silver-grey, hard and lustrous metal that is only found in the Earth’s crust in chemically combined form. Cobalt is therefore primarily mined as a byproduct of nickel and copper mining. From there, cobalt is produced by reductive smelting. Cobalt is primarily used in lithium-ion batteries for electric devices such as laptops and electric vehicles. Since the 1960s, the world’s cobalt mine production has largely been focused in the DR Congo, where small-scale and artisanal mine operations account for most of the production. It is forecast that the supply of cobalt from DR Congo in 2024 will amount to 225,000 metric tons. I don’t know about you but that’s a whole lot of cobalt. So,with that knowledge, of course certain conglomerates don’t and have never wanted to trade fairly with Africa so they are in the nation purchasing or taking minerals sourced from plundering and killing millions of Congolese people. Then we have the M23 rebels as well. Their resurgence has led to numerous atrocitie.

The whole ordeal is something out of a hellish nightmare as you will see really young children being forced to work in these dangerous mines. It doesn’t stop there as 48 women are sexually assaulted on a daily basis. About 8 million Congolese people have died and the numbers of deaths continue to skyrocket.

Have you grabbed your ethically sourced coffee? Good, now buckle up, because we’re diving into some serious stuff happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This isn’t just any crisis; it’s a silent storm that needs our attention. Yes, that means you too Tinashe, Panashe, Melusi and Stacey. Picture this: the eastern DRC is like the setting of a tragic, real-life drama where one of the main antagonists are the M23 rebel group, causing chaos since their unwelcome comeback in late 2021. These guys are not playing nice—they’re backed by Rwanda and wreaking havoc, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes​​.

Imagine the wildest crossover episode where the M23 clashes with the Congolese army (FARDC) and other armed groups like CODECO and ADF join the fray. It’s like a messy mix of villains all fighting over territory, leaving innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Innocent civilians are out here catching strays. North Kivu and Ituri are at the heart of this nightmare, and it’s not just about the fighting—it’s about the horrific human rights abuses that follow, including killings, rapes, and forced labor​​. That being said did you know that roughly 48 women are raped every day in Congo? You didn’t? Well, now you do. NEEEEXT!

Now, let’s talk numbers. In just six weeks, 450,000 people were displaced. That’s like filling up a huge stadium with people who suddenly have nowhere safe to go. Overall, more than 7 million folks are displaced, living in precarious conditions. And with the UN peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, packing up and leaving, the situation is even more dire​.

Why should we care? Because these “silent genocides” are happening while the world is distracted by the devices the Congolese people are dying to produce and that we are scrolling on. The DRC’s crisis is a stark reminder that our planet is full of untold stories of suffering, often driven by greed over resources like gold, coltan, and diamonds​​.

THE WAR IN SUDAN…

Picture this: April 15, 2023. The day when Sudan’s two biggest enemies, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), decided to take their rivalry to the next level. Spoiler alert: it’s been nothing short of disastrous. Surprise, surprise. With over 14,000 people tragically losing their lives and tens of thousands injured, it’s like a real-life action movie but without any heroes to save the day​​.

Over half the country – that’s around 25 million folks – are in desperate need of help, and more than 8.6 million have had to pack up and flee their homes. Imagine having to leave everything behind, not knowing when or if you’ll ever come back​.

But wait, there’s more. Reports are flooding in about some seriously grim stuff: think widespread atrocities, sexual violence, child soldier recruitment, and torturous conditions. It’s a humanitarian nightmare and it’s very real. It’s not coming to an end any time soon.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s a looming food crisis. Like, the “world’s worst hunger crisis” kind of bad. About 18 million people are facing severe hunger, and five million are teetering on the edge of starvation. Forget about gourmet meals and Munchie Mondays at Chicken Inn; most people can’t even get basic food​ ​.

The cherry on this tragic sundae? External forces are stirring the pot, providing the warring factions with the means to keep the chaos going. It’s like a soap opera where the meddling relatives just won’t let anything die down​​. The international community is trying to step in, but the situation is dire, and they need all the help they can get to bring peace and stability back to this beautiful yet beleaguered country.

So what do we do?

PRAY.

Pardon my French but DUH. I’m sure this one was obvious. Pray without ceasing. What’s happening in Congo and Sudan needs God and for a widespread flare of faith. Praying to Yahweh and asking him for protection for Congolese people is a great start. Especially those in the displacement camps and mines. Ask Yahweh to soften the hearts of other nations so that many people can mobilise towards helping the people in Sudan and Congo.

SPREAD THE WORD.

 Dear reader, you’d be surprised just how many people are unaware of the wars plaguing Congo and Sudan. Most people aren’t aware of the atrocities aside from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, so whatever opportunity you have to speak up on Congo and Sudan then do so. I’m sure my roommates and my online audiences have heard my fair share of explanations on these crises, albeit against their will but they are more than well versed on what’s happening in these nations now and that’s what matters. So don’t stop talking about any of this. Don’t stop posting. Spread the word and conscientize people because you never know who will be able to lend a helping hand.

I’m sure we’re somewhat tech savvy and well versed with social media. That being said, we can share videos, information or donation links as well.

VOLUNTEER.

Look, I get it we’re broke. I, for one am a broke university student but that doesn’t make me powerless. It doesn’t make you powerless either. If you lack funds to assist in volunteering, then you can sign up to be an online volunteer. You can find a way to volunteer. Organisations like Focus Congo are a great place to start as they are geared towards helping Congolese people who have been caught up in the genocide and displaced.

DONATE.

Give what you can and if you can’t implore others to do so.

In the end…

You need to touch some grass.

Don’t forget to include African nations in your advocacy geared towards bringing an end to wars and genocides.

In case you hadn’t noticed, Congo and Sudan are bleeding. Let’s open our eyes. Let’s do something, whether you think it’s big or small. Do something. You have no idea how much you can help and how much of an impact you can make. I think we owe these nations quite a lot so let’s make like good human beings and DO SOMETHING. I implore you to try. This awful reality I’ve just shed light on is only the tip of the iceberg of all the horrors taking place in Sudan and Congo.

• The “Weird” Brown Girl.

A ‘silent genocide’ in DRC is impacting millions of lives | By Sofiya Suleimenova

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/democratic-republic-congo

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148791

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/democratic-republic-congo

https://www.unrefugees.org/news/sudan-crisis-explained