The Price for Freedom

The Price for Freedom

This is a Dedication and a Tribute for a young Sudanese man, who was viciously set-upon and killed by a group of 8-10 youths/men on the 26 Oct 2009.

The young man (23 yo) died from a fatal stab-wound to the neck. He bled to death. He leaves behind a daughter of 3 years of age, and his young partner, the mother of his little girl.

At least 2 of the gang have been arrested since the incident and have been charged with murder.

He came to this country (Australia) at the age of 19 with the view of achieving a “better” life, to get a job, and to start sending money back to his family still living in Sudan.

Over the past few weeks I came to know him, his story, his fears, his experiences, his struggles, the racism he’d experienced, the depression and the alcoholism that he’d succumbed to since living here in the land of his disappointment.

Not too long ago he said he was happier, though very poor and often hungry, “back home”. We laughed occasionally and talked deeply, and he was starting to feel encouraged for the first time since being here.

He’d told me how he wanted to be a “better” father, and not get angry with his partner, to get off the drinking cycle and to learn not to react to, nor escalate the racial taunting he experienced too often.

Our country and our Governments proffer much to such immigrants. I believe “we” as a Nation have failed our end of the arrangement.

His family chose him to come here, as he had the best prospects to learn and “succeed” on behalf of those he would leave behind. His mother’s hopes and dreams now end with his death.

His partner is alone and confused, still coming to terms with what had happened. A little girl sleeps restless, never to know her father, and the beautiful spirit that lay within,beneath the shame and disappointment he’d felt with regard to his life in Australia.

And the price for Freedom for this young man? His death. He no longer suffers, ‘tis a fact — and a few such as I, are left to wonder, “Why?”

I have the fortune and the privilege to have met and gotten to know this young man — this warrior lost — and he has given me more than he will ever know.

He journeys beyond these shores, westward towards the setting sun, across the ocean, returns in spirit to his Sudan, his Africa, his homeward calling.

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