Inequality, climate change, and conflict are evicting millions from their homes. But these perils are being met with 'anti-answers' such as nationalism, closed borders, lies, and hatred.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the negative effects of global issues like inequality and climate change, which are exacerbated by nationalism and hatred.
Winnie Byanyima's quote addresses the pressing global issues of inequality, climate change, and conflict that are forcing millions to flee their homes. It warns that instead of constructive solutions, society often resorts to 'anti-answers' such as nationalism and closed borders, which spread division and mistrust rather than fostering cooperation and understanding. The quote serves as a call to recognize these challenges and to seek solutions that promote solidarity over intolerance.
In practice
During a speech on global issues, one might say, 'As Winnie Byanyima pointed out, inequality and climate change are leading to mass displacement.'
High corruption and the influence of big business and the wealthy elite keeps the poorest Nigerians trapped in poverty and cut off from the benefits of economic growth and basic services. Some people - searching for the means to survive - became vulnerable to groups like Boko Haram.
African countries lose billions every year because of tax dodging by big corporations and wealthy individuals. They lose billions more from overly generous tax incentives in a misguided belief that this is the only way to attract foreign investment.
The high price of medicines is crippling healthcare systems and denying people access to the treatments they so desperately need.
The discrimination of women and girls goes to the core of any and all analyses of the world's economic, political, and environmental problems.
Instead of presiding over an economic system that panders to big business and a wealthy elite, a more human economy must be established which meets the needs of African women and young people.
We don't want to tell young girls and boys that the odds are stacked against them from the start. Instead, we could tell them that with passion, conviction, and determination we can build a better future. This future is possible by redesigning our economy to truly reward hard work rather than wealth.
It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less
Now that Arab women are pouring into the streets by the million, men discover with dismay that they, not women, were the captives of the harem dream.
I do genuinely believe that the political system is not linear. When it reaches a tipping point fashioned by a critical mass of opinion, the slow pace of change we're used to will no longer be the norm. I see a lot of signs every day that we're moving closer and closer to that tipping point.
Weapons of war have no place on our streets.
For decades, we resisted violence - until Sharpeville.
Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.
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