Barbed wire Quote by Janice Mirikitani
“We were made to believe / our faces betrayed us. / Our bodies were loud / with yellow / screaming flesh / needing to be silenced / behind barbed wire.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unknown collection by Janice Mirikitani, 1990s
The poem depicts how bodies and faces reveal suffering, urging silence and confinement of pain behind oppression.
In simple terms: Pain is visible and often forced into silence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and speak out against hidden suffering.
Themes
oppression
silence
body
identity
empathy
Mood
somber
reflective
urgent
Type
poetic
social commentary
When to use this quote
- protest art
- mental health awareness
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
social critique
poetic imagery
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society silence marginalized voices?
- What can we do to give space for painful truths?
A Different Perspective
Silencing pain can perpetuate trauma and ignore systemic causes.
