The Humanitarian Commentary: a spoken word poem by global storyteller, Ov Onyeka
Nigerian-International Poet Ov Onyeka, known as Brainbox, Presents "The Humanitarian Commentary"
Renowned Nigerian-International poet Ov Onyeka, affectionately referred to as Brainbox, has captivated audiences with “The Humanitarian Commentary,” a poignant spoken word poem designed to coincide with Refugee Week.
Ov delivered this stirring performance at Scarlet Red Magazine’s recent online event, “Creative Voices,” part of the broader “Arts for the Future” Festival, which aligned with significant international gatherings, including the United Nations Summit of the Future (UNGA) and Climate Week NYC (2024).
This evocative piece examines the urgent humanitarian crisis surrounding refugees, intricately weaving themes of compassion and action throughout its verses. By referencing some of the largest refugee crises worldwide, the poem uniquely captures the experiences and adversities faced by countless individuals, highlighting their resilience, courage, and the essential need for global solidarity.
Through the powerful medium of poetry, Ov Onyeka challenges us to confront the refugee crisis — a pressing global issue that continues to escalate. Currently, the number of forcibly displaced individuals is on the rise, with millions seeking asylum beyond their home borders.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 117 million people were displaced globally by the end of 2023, comprising both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). This ongoing crisis stems from a myriad of factors, including armed conflict, persecution, human rights violations, and increasingly, climate change. Natural disasters and resource scarcity have also contributed significantly to forced displacement.
The future landscape for refugees hinges on multiple variables, including political stability, humanitarian aid, and peacekeeping initiatives. These elements are critical in determining whether refugees will be able to return to their homelands or will need to seek safety elsewhere. Furthermore, the policies of host countries play a pivotal role in shaping refugee experiences. Countries grappling with economic hardship or political instability may adopt stricter immigration policies, impacting refugees' chances of finding safety and support.
Given the complexity of these challenges, future projections regarding refugee dynamics remain uncertain. For updated insights and forecasts, esteemed organizations such as the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) routinely release reports that analyze trends and offer projections based on the latest data.
“Everyone is a potential refugee. All it takes is for one injustice to happen.”
“The Humanitarian Commentary”
The universe bears a burden,
A burden of fairness in human narratives,
A burden in the fickleness of our realities,
From the mimics of paradise in one chapter
To the dark edges of a breaking news headline
We couldn't care less about.
The universe bears that burden for border communities,
For border countries to accommodate large influxes,
For daring boats that sail to creek waters
With backpacks of memories across continents.
For cargo planes crammed with truncated plans and botched dreams,
Yet boarded with tickets of hope.
The universe and its burden for diplomatic debates,
For negotiations of welfare
As people get caught behind the disastrous lines of injustices
Or at certain times between the fangs of a natural tragedy.
These numbers, growing in millions are becoming a nation-size
That I fear an entire country may have been displaced
Ahead of finding the passage to Nirvana.
Have you seen the recent scenes in Turkey,
Where rescuers radically beam their torchlight under the rubble
In search of precious gasps of oxygen,
Where once bustling streets have been left empty by tremors,
With families no longer having a place to even pray for their next meal?
A similar wave of quakes touched Syria too,
Amid a lingering uncertainty of gunfire
And the chaotic reign of instability in its political history,
Adding another layer of tragedy to the plight of the fleeing vulnerable.
See, the culprit in the humanitarian crisis
Bear a dispiriting legacy that is not without
The Ukrainian story that limps through unavoidable war,
Nor the stereotypical emergencies in Afghanistan.
It is not without the Sudanese burden of separation,
The persistent misfortunes of Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC,
The poetic tears from way-back Somalia
The fading perception of Eritrea's beauty
And the faces of children who were born stateless,
Around the mystery of identification and belongingness
In the twin countries of the Caribbean Island, Hispaniola.
The refugees' legacy is further down
The abysses of hopelessness for many nations.
If only we could mention Nigeria's prime struggles
With over a decade-long insurgency, banditry,
And the existential threats of marginalization.
It is the latent exodus along the Cameroonian border
And the enormous symbol of injustice across the world,
A burden of global concern, deserving of attention, compassion and action!
See, the universe bears a burden to shine light on this legacy
That ironically represents the strength, resilience,
And the courage of refugees to rebuild, to reintegrate,to start all over.
Follow Ov Onyeka - Brainbox on Instagram: Iambrainbox