Editor, I wish to react to Sunny Ntayombya’s article, “Why #BringBackOurGirls is a ‘waste of our time’” (The New Times, May 14). While social media activism can often simply be people jumping on a bandwagon cause or trying to whitewash themselves of internal guilt, I still think Mr Ntayombya’s argument suffers from far too many holes. Atrocities are happening around the world every day and one can, sadly, imagine that these arent the last group of girls to be abducted. What is special about this case is that the social media world took notice. This caused outrage and pushed some countries’ politicians into a corner, where they felt obliged to help and get active. Social media has the ability to swiftly create a critical mass of people willing to stand for something. In this case the hashtag, #BringBackOurGirls, has got international political support, media attention and, even, created a side hashtag against a conservative pundit in the United States. If Mr Ntayombya’s argument was that people are disingenuously feeling involved by tweeting, then I would agree. Or if the argument was that social media has the ability to misdirect attention to the “cause” of the day rather than the underlying issues, again I would equally agree. But to say that it is pointless or even waste of time, then the facts disagree. Adam Kyamatare, Copenhagen, Denmark ***************************** I’m afraid Mr. Ntayombya misses the point... It is not because you also lost a child of your own that you fail to mourn with your neighbour when they lose theirs. The fact that Mr Ntayombya wrote about it from far means its purpose has been met—the hashtag is so loud people from the four corners of the world noticed, and some might even take action to bring back the abducted girls. Yes we have problems of our own but this is not the time to question why the neighbour’s husband/wife is not strong enough to protect their children when they call for help. Netty, Rwanda **************************** All who say that social media is the main reason this situation is getting the world’s attention are correct, but like many Nigerian intellectuals have asked, is this the attention they want? Attention from people who barely know where Nigeria is or that Boko Haram has been terrorising Nigeria for over four years? This isn’t the first kidnapping; this is the first that caught the attention of Western media. Also, I think action is really coming from people who are protesting in their different cities and not necessarily from people posting a picture on Instagram and Facebook. I think if you really believe in the power of social media then you are just into lazy activism that helps you sleep better at night. Look at the Trayvon Martin case in the US, Kony2012, the gay rights bill in Uganda, etc. Social media can’t change facts – only people with power can do that. If you think Tahrir Square was a success, I’m sure there is an Egyptian willing to disagree with that because what has really changed for their country? Are people all happy skipping around holding hands? I don’t think so. Social media has its advantages and disadvantages but it is definitely not going to bring those girls home. James, Rwanda **************************** Much as the last two paragraphs of the article might cause anger, the message I pick from this piece is: “Let’s not be insensitive to issues facing our girls other than waiting for what happened to our girls in Nigeria to happen”. We should be reminded that the effort put in this particular one should also be used to advocate in addressing many other issues. Again, Mr Ntayombya reminds us to also address the root causes of issues and not stop at the symptoms. Let’s raise our heads together and tell Boko Haram to #BringBackOurGirls. Isaac, Rwanda
