Poem for Nigerian arrestees: '42 … forbidden … for too long'
August 6, 2017
Colin Stewart
Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…
Tom Malanga of New York wrote this poem about the 42 Nigerians arrested last weekend on homosexuality charges:
42
4
2
Four
Two
For
Too
For too long
Forced to hide
For too long
Forbidden to love
For 42,
A misfortunate place
For 42,
Prayers for
Fortitude
For the rest of us
Fortunately not sitting
Amongst the 42
For it could be me
Or you
For we are all
The 42
———————————
#Iamoneofthe42
Related articles:
- 42 Nigerians released on bail, face homosexuality charges (Aug. 4, 2017, 76crimes.com)
- Nigerian activists: Don’t assume 42 arrested men are gay (Aug. 3, 2017, 76crimes.com)
- International appeals seek release of 42 in Nigeria (Aug. 2, 2017, 76crimes.com)
- #OwodeArrest: 42 alleged gay men are still in police custody. Court arraignment still under probability (Aug. 1, 2017, The Rustin Times)
- Mass arrest of 40 gay men in Nigeria may harm HIV fight (July 31, 2017, Reuters)
- #OwodeArrest: How 70 alleged gay men were arrested in Lagos (July 30, 2017, The Rustin Times)
- Police arrest 42 homosexuals in Lagos hotel (July 30, 2017, Punch)
Wow, very nice, and so true. We all seem to sit back and don’t speak out, or do anything, and then one day, we find no one is speaking out for us.
Thanks for sharing this poem. We hope that the 42 are released and do not have to forever be stigmatised in Nigeria.
Good job Nigeria!-going against all gays! Is doing what’s right!
wait until someone comes for you because you don’t believe or you are not what they consider normal. What if this was your brother, as your ignorance is showing that you are uneducated as to gay people and why. It is at birth, not a choice but then you think science is fucked up if it doesn’t agree with your religious belief’s of your book written by men who claim to be told by God. Are you that gullible and believe everything some preacher or cleric says and writes and claims to be a man of God ?
At one time in USA, black men weren’t consider men, and had no rights, were slaves to the white man, as it was custom and the law of the land. So did that make it right, and have we evolved and know better today ? Shame on you as you think it is a sin, and you have no idea until you walk in another man’s shoes, or in this situation, in his skin. Let God judge, if you believe the books that quotes God as saying ‘judge not, less ye be judged more harshly” What about this passage you just don’t get or want to believe. Gay people are not harming you or anyone, and if you are not born with this genetic gene, then you can NOT be converted either. If this be true on conversion others to gay lifestyle, then why can’t you be converted, can you ? Shame on those who treat others inhumane, as you will be judge one day, so how will you defend yourself when ask by God why you mistreated one of his creatures ?