Absence Quote by Lynn Nottage
“I wanted to tell the story of these women and the war in the Congo and I couldn't find anything about them in the newspapers or in the library, so I felt I had to get on a plane and go to Africa and find the story myself. I felt there was a complete absence in the media of their narrative. It's very different now, but when I went in 2004 that was definitely the case.”
About This Quote
Source Play: "Ruined", 2008, inspired by research on Congo women
She noticed a media gap about Congolese women’s stories and took initiative to investigate directly.
In simple terms: Media ignored their stories, so she sought them herself.
Key Takeaway
Seek out unheard voices.
Themes
representation
media bias
activism
research
Mood
urgent
inquisitive
Type
inspirational
activist
When to use this quote
- documentary work
- journalistic investigation
- advocacy campaigns
- educational curricula
- policy discussions
Key Concepts
gender
conflict
journalism
historical erasure
Questions to Reflect On
- What obstacles arise when uncovering hidden histories?
- How can media be held accountable for representation gaps?
A Different Perspective
Finding primary sources can be risky and resource‑intensive.
