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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

"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












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