"Your Roar of Justice Rises" by Mary Sue Barnett ARCWP

Nusrat Jahan Rafi 

Nusrat Jahan Rafi, an 18 year old young woman from Bangladesh, reported to the police that sexual abuse was perpetrated against her by her school principal. The police officer diminished her statement, illegally filmed her statement and illegally posted it on social media, stirring opposition against her and support for the principal. On April 6, 2019, when Nusrat refused to drop the charges, she was set on fire on the roof of her school, burning 80% of her body. 

In the ambulance she stated that she will fight until her last breath. She died four days later. Thousands of people turned out for her funeral in her hometown of Feni. There have since been demonstrations in her hometown and in the capital of Bangladesh against misogynist violence. 

Your Roar of Justice Rises

As sure 

as the 

Tigress roams 

her land

As certain 

as the

Tigress drinks 

from her streams

Your body

Nusrat

you knew

was your own

Your body 

on your earth 

in your city

at your school

With beguiling 

confidence 

you knew

Your piercing gaze 

embodied in sinew

empowered in spirit

saw through

violation 

“I will fight

this crime

til my 

last breath”

Your heart

sounding 

through streets

of Feni 

and Dhaka

Along rivers

Deep in the 

mangroves

Your Roar of 

Justice Rises-

Echoes beyond 

land and sea

To stun the

conscience of

unaware souls

Your truth

Nusrat

is the 

abiding flame

that burns 

through hatred

A painful 

crucible for the 

universe to bear

You Nusrat

an exquisite 

human being

are fiercely 

mourned

As sure 

as the 

Tigress roams 

her land

As certain 

as the

Tigress drinks 

from her streams

Be Free

Free of pain

Free for yourself 

You know 

who you are