Millions of Afghans are experiencing trauma today. Those in Afghanistan are in a state of survival as the US military throws around its weight in Kabul one last time and the Taliban takeover is nearing complete. Imagine a tiger cornering you in a cage.
Those of us outside are also experiencing trauma and guilt. We’ve been through similar events. I broke down when I saw the bridge to Uzbekistan blocked with people to leave – the same bridge my family crossed years ago. PTSD is real.
Thousands of activists and frontline workers are trying to do their best to help as many people as possible in a state of near mental breakdown. They feel this way because they recognise what they are up against – they’re up against power that’s real.
None of these things are coincidental. Afghans have borne the cost of racist, violent policies for decades and it's taking its toll. Millions of Afghans have never experienced safety. Intergenerational trauma is real.
It matters if your life is treated with value. When #BLM activists shout #BlackLivesMatter I know exactly what they are trying to do – they want people to internalise a sense of value for black lives. We need to value Afghan lives.
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