Maia Brown-Jackson's writing
Maia Brown-Jackson
poetry, fiction, and more
ABOUT MAIA
aia is a symphony of papercuts, banged-up knees, and stubborn determination. She believes in the altruism of strangers, the power of direct action, and the use of the Oxford comma. She strives to offer what she can; here, that offering is her words.
One of the organizations closest to Maia’s heart is the Yuva Organization for Child Rights. The initial spark of this organization was born the day after the Islamic State first attacked Duhola Village in their ruthless massacre in Sinjar in August 2014. One brave man, who she is honored to call a dear friend, found a way to take action despite the hopelessness of the moment. He took it upon himself to distract the children of Duhola from the violence and fear through education. Nine years later, his efforts have graduated from huddling on mountainsides hoping for rescue to building entire schools in areas previously devastated by the Islamic State. If you want to learn more or donate to help their cause, you can reach out to info@yuvangocr.org.
M
Palestinian freedom and Jewish safety are not opposing causes. This is a safe space and I stand in solidarity with the innocent and persecuted civilians of all religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This is not a place for hate, for anti-Semitism, for Islamophobia, for ignorance, or for black and white thinking without nuance or examination of the bigger, more complex picture. Always ask: who is benefiting from this hate and from this conflict?
And in the midst of all that is happening, don’t forget there are people and cultures being decimated by atrocities across the world. Never forget means never forget anyone. Do not forget Myanmar, Sudan and South Sudan, Iraq, the Central African Republic, China, Syria, Yemen, and more. Just because the western media has lost interest in the ones it reported on at all, remain aware that these are ongoing, and they also need our attention, our support, and our help. Do not lose sight of the other innocent people who are being slaughtered just because they don’t make our headlines, and care for them just as you care for whatever is the cause of the moment in the west.