December 10, 2020 is the 72nd anniversary of the United Nation's General Assembly adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
This 2019 YA graphic novel by Brianna Jonnie (author) and Neal Shannacappo (illustrator) takes its text from a letter Brianna Jonnie sent to the Winnipeg Chief of Police when she was 14.
In gist, this novel, and the letter, brings to the forefront the very pressing danger of being an Indigenous teen in Canada today. In her letter that went viral, has become a documentary, and is now set to print through this graphic novel, the author calls out authorities for their lack of urgency in investigating missing Indigenous teens.
One of the most striking statements from this letter:
If I go missing, do not treat me like the Indigenous person I am proud to be.
Even if today is not Human Rights Day, this is a message to be heard and actioned.
No comments:
Post a Comment