A terrorist attack on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo last week has since dominated the 24-hour international news cycle as has the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/07/jesuischarlie-charlie-hebdo-shooting_n_6429712.html) Yet the massacre of 2,000 Nigerians (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/boko-haram-survivors_n_6456452.html) carried out by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has not.
The hashtag #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IamNigeria&src=tyah) has exploded in reaction to a worldwide media neglect for the story, begging the question why thousands of innocent deaths can go virtually unnoticed in comparison to the death of 17.
While the attack in Paris is certainly one that deserves attention, so does the tragedy that occurred in Nigeria -- which has since been recognized as the deadliest massacre in history of Boko Haram. (http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/kids-reunite-parents-lost-nigeria-islamic-uprising-28106423)
Even Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan has been criticized (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/13/goodluck-jonathan-boko-ha_n_6464928.html) for his support for victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack in comparison to compassion shown for the massacre of civilians in his own country.
#IamNigeria is one of many phrases designed to point out the imbalanced media focus on Paris over Nigeria. The 'Je Suis Charlie' and 'I Am Charlie' (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/08/i-am-charlie-rallies-world_n_6437768.html) slogans have been re-tailored into 'Je Suis Nigerian' and 'I am Baga' in addition to 'Nigerian lives matter' -- a play on the American #BlackLivesMatter (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/opal-tometi/staying-focused-in-the-mo_b_6366618.html) hashtag most closely associated with police brutality.
But these are far from the first cries for justice against Boko Haram terrorism. The Islamist extremist group kidnapped over 200 school girls from the area of Chibok last April. It was another instance where a hashtag immediately demanded media coverage of the disaster: #BringBackOurGirls. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/05/bringbackourgirls-boko-haram_n_6110030.html)
Take a look at some #IamNigerian tweets below.The death of 17 Europeans thoroughly buried the atrocities in Nigeria. Hypocrisy at its highest level #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash)
— Mohamed Ali Abdulle (@dirshejunior) January 14, 2015 (https://twitter.com/dirshejunior/status/555357313692106752)
I am not Charlie. I can never be Charlie. I don't have the complexion for protection to be Charlie. What I am, is Baga. #IAmNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmNigeria?src=hash)
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) January 13, 2015 (https://twitter.com/Luvvie/status/555028103899009025)
An unfair world? Where is the unity with the Nigerian people? Where is #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash)? We need more solidarity here. pic.twitter.com/QRNrtXHdd8 (http://t.co/QRNrtXHdd8)
— Kyra (@KyraFunk) January 13, 2015 (https://twitter.com/KyraFunk/status/555050257244237824)
2000 killed in Nigeria yet theres no media coverage. Where's the international fury and condemnation? #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash)
— Nazneen Jassat (@NJassat) January 12, 2015 (https://twitter.com/NJassat/status/554633190158376960)
the global communities lack of empathy for the people of africa is astoundingly horrendous at best. #iamnigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/iamnigeria?src=hash) pic.twitter.com/nOlHaE1ro3 (http://t.co/nOlHaE1ro3)
— matthew baus (@bausmatthew) January 14, 2015 (https://twitter.com/bausmatthew/status/555345279113629697)
If you care about children, you should care that a 10 year old girl was forced to be a suicide bomber last week in Nigeria. #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash)
— Michelle Watts,Ph.D. (@lipstklitterati) January 13, 2015 (https://twitter.com/lipstklitterati/status/555151621425225728)
#IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash) Anyone?! In case you haven't heard,Boko Haram recently killed over 2000 people in Nigeria #JeSuisCharlie (https://twitter.com/hashtag/JeSuisCharlie?src=hash) pic.twitter.com/DNZmaaUFWT (http://t.co/DNZmaaUFWT)
— Wacera (@Wacera_) January 14, 2015 (https://twitter.com/Wacera_/status/555276085165056000)
The silence of the massacre in Nigeria speaks volumes. #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash)
— PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) January 13, 2015 (https://twitter.com/PrestonMitchum/status/554977359984865280)
17 people die in France, world leaders walk hand in hand in support. Thousands die in Nigeria, the whole world watches in awe. #IamNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IamNigeria?src=hash)
— Jabu ™ (@its_Jabu) January 12, 2015 (https://twitter.com/its_Jabu/status/554571101855313920)
It's really sad when you think about it. The world REALLY has learned NOTHING from the Holocaust :-(! #IAmNigeria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmNigeria?src=hash) pic.twitter.com/uF5z1JRwQ9 (http://t.co/uF5z1JRwQ9)
— Nikeya N. Young (@nikeyayoung) January 13, 2015 (https://twitter.com/nikeyayoung/status/554848737349341184)
Source: huffingtonPost