(image via the BBC)

As a general rule, we are quite loquacious here at Black Chick Media, but this tragedy has rendered us mute.  And what words are there to even begin to describe this horrific and sickening event?  We couldn’t find any if we tried.  While details vary from country to country and source to source, what we know with certainty is that on the night of April 14th, at least 234 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 were kidnapped from their school in northeastern Nigeria.  Although no group has claimed responsibility, it is believed, yet not confirmed, the girls have been taken by armed militants of a local Islamic extremist group called Boko Haram, whose name roughly translates to, ”western education is forbidden.”  It has been stated that the leader of this organization, Abubakar Shekau, first threatened to capture women and girls in a video released in May 2013, and not one official in the Nigerian government, including President, Goodluck Jonathan (who, as far as we’re concerned should be investigated…), or the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, took the threat seriously.

As the response from world leaders, especially the leaders of Nigeria, has been less than helpful, many parents, friends and family members have taken it upon themselves to locate the girls, journeying deep into forests and surrounding towns in hopes of finding at least a glimmer of hope.  There are numerous theories surrounding their capture, and it is now believed the girls have been taken to neighboring countries and sold as slaves and/or to militants as wives for the price of $12 each.

(image via the BBC)

Since their capture, protestors have lined the streets in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, chanting the phrase, Bring Back Our Girls, which has since become an international campaign.  Governments around the globe have taken notice, but, in our humble opinion, they’re actually doing nothing at all.  Several activist groups including Change.Org and Amnesty International, are promoting petitions that are circling the globe at the moment, including the one we signed on the White House website: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/work-un-and-nigerian-government-bring-home-girls-kidnapped-boko-haram/fFcLj7s2. Yesterday, there were a mere 900 signatures, as of this morning, there are almost 3,000. A similar petition can be found here.

(image via the BBC)

Join us in taking to social media using the hashtags #BringBackOurGirls and #BringBackOurDaughters, to demand more from world governments, and ensure the safe return of these young girls.

Love

BCM