Passport to Democracy Not My Business

What connections could you make between the following words? business action me them ignore

When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn't a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.

They picked Akanni up one morning Beat him soft like clay And stuffed him down the belly Of a waiting jeep. What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? They came one night Booted the whole house awake And dragged Danladi out, Then off to a lengthy absence. What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? Chinwe went to work one day Only to find her job was gone: No query, no warning, no probe - Just one neat sack for a stainless record. What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? And then one evening As I sat down to eat my yam A knock on the door froze my hungry hand. The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn Waiting, waiting in its usual silence. © Niyi Osundare

What’s the poem about?  In what country or type of place do you think this poem is set? Why?  Who do you think ‘they’ are?  What sort of people do ‘they’ seem to be?  What words make you think that?  Write a quick character profile for Akanni, Chinwe and Danladi.  What sort of people do they seem to be? What words make you think that?  What has happened to them?

They picked Akanni up one morning Beat him soft like clay And stuffed him down the belly Of a waiting jeep. What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? They came one night Booted the whole house awake And dragged Danladi out, Then off to a lengthy absence. What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? Chinwe went to work one day Only to find her job was gone: No query, no warning, no probe - Just one neat sack for a stainless record. What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth? And then one evening As I sat down to eat my yam A knock on the door froze my hungry hand. The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn Waiting, waiting in its usual silence. © Niyi Osundare

Group language analysis  “Beat him soft like clay” To hit or assault To defeat; win earth; mud Something you mold into something else The poet has created a picture of a man being hit so badly his body has turned to earth or mud. The poet could also be suggesting that Akanni has been defeated emotionally and spiritually so he’s no longer recognisable.

Group language analysis “and stuffed him down the belly Of a waiting jeep”

Group language analysis “Booted the whole house awake”

Group language analysis “no query, no warning, no probe- just one neat sack for a stainless record.”

Group language analysis “What business of mine is it So long they don’t take the yam From my savouring mouth?”

Group language analysis “A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.”

Group language analysis “The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.”

Using art to fight a cause  Niyi Osundare is a Nigerian poet, writer, literary critic and lecturer who lives and works in New Orleans. He has always been a passionate champion of the right to free speech and is a strong believer in the power of words, saying, "to utter is to alter".  What do you think he wants to alter by writing this poem?  Can a poem, novel, painting, film or any other art work really alter anything?

Write your own poem to speak out about your issue.  Think about your issue. What is happening that bothers you?  Think of three examples of things you found in your research. These will be your three verses. Use emotive words to use so we feel sympathy for someone or something.  Think of a repeated chorus that shows why no one might bother to do anything as long as they have  Think of the worst case scenario of this issue if no one took any action. This will be your poem’s ending.  Think about your issue. What is happening that bothers you?  Think of three examples of things you found in your research. These will be your three verses. Use emotive words to use so we feel sympathy for someone or something.  Think of a repeated chorus that shows why no one might bother to do anything as long as they have  Think of the worst case scenario of this issue if no one took any action. This will be your poem’s ending. Facebook? Pocket money? 60 inch plasma TV?

Not my business  They What business of mine is it So long ? They What business of mine is it So long ?  (Someone) What business of mine is it So long ? And then The

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Put up posters around school or college.

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Lobby MP – write a letter, , phone...

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim March loads of people through the centre of a public space

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Stage a “sit in” - mass group of people who sit and refuse to move at a site relevant to your cause.

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Stage a publicity stunt – arrange something unusual and tell the media

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Hand out leaflets that advertise your action/ event/concerns

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Hold a public meeting to allow people to voice their views

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Create a group on Facebook and spread the word.

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Deliver a petition to your Prime Minister.

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Volunteer your services to get things done for your cause.

Action: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim Hold a fundraising event to raise money for a charity that supports your issue.

Add four more actions to this list that might help to solve the problem you care about. 1234

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