Some people tried to hurt us to protect themselves, their family and communities...This was one of the consequences of civil war. People stopped trusting each other, and every stranger became an enemy. Even people who knew you became extremely careful about how they related or spoke to you.
Interpretation
In conflict, trust erodes and relationships fracture as people prioritize their own safety over connection.
Ishmael Beah's quote reflects the devastating effects of civil war on human relationships and trust. In times of conflict, individuals may resort to harmful actions to protect themselves and their loved ones, leading to a breakdown of community bonds and an atmosphere of distrust. The idea that every stranger is viewed as a potential enemy illustrates how fear can dismantle the very fabric of social connections, transforming known relationships into cautious interactions filled with suspicion.
In practice
This quote can be referenced in discussions about the psychological impact of war on communities.
How many more times do we have to come to terms with death before we find safety?" he asked. He waited a few minutes, but the three of us didn't say anything. He continued: "Every time people come at us with the intention of killing us, I close my eyes and wait for death. Even though I am still alive, I feel like each time I accept death, part of me dies. Very soon I will completely die and all that will be left is my empty body walking with you. It will be quieter than I am.
...children have the resilience to outlive their sufferings, if given a chance.
When I was young, my father used to say, ‘If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die.’ I thought about these words during my journey, and they kept me moving even when I didn’t know where I was going. Those words became the vehicle that drove my spirit forward and made it stay alive.
This is one of the consequences of the civil war. People stop trusting each other, and every stranger becomes an enemy.
Van Gaal has a good vision of football, but it is not mine. He wants to gel winning teams and has a militaristic way of working with his tactics. I want individuals to think for themselves.
Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats.
Africa is less a wilderness than a repository of primary and fundamental values, and less a barbaric land than an unfamiliar voice
Better to mock the game than to play and lose.
How characteristic of your perverse heart that longs only for what happens to be out of reach.
To experience real agony is something hard to write about, impossible to understand while it grips you; you're frightened out of your wits, can’t sit still, move, or even go decently insane.
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