Africa Quote by Nick Hahn
““The matted straw cover of the latrine was yanked away. The sun blinded me as I looked up at the dark outline of two young soldiers in tattered camouflage, their uniforms made for men bigger than they were. They each held an automatic weapon, an AK-47, and were leering down at me. I could see the two gold teeth of one of them as he grinned. Gold-tooth reached down and grabbed my hair, yanking me up by it until he could get the other hand under my arm and pull me the rest of the way. I screamed in terror. He pulled me away from the pit as he and the others held their noses and laughed hysterically. One held each arm and dragged me to the river’s edge. They tore off my loose cotton dress; I had no underwear on. After howling with laughter and firing guns in the air, they crudely touched my body.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: Personal war trauma narrative, 2010s
A harrowing account of sexual assault and humiliation by armed soldiers during conflict, highlighting powerlessness and trauma.
In simple terms: Describes a brutal assault by soldiers.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and support survivors of violence.
Themes
trauma
violence
powerlessness
Mood
somber
distressed
Type
narrative
testimonial
When to use this quote
- refugee camps
- conflict zones
- post‑war counseling
Key Concepts
war
gendered violence
psychological impact
Questions to Reflect On
- What can be done to protect civilians in war?
- How does trauma shape identity?
A Different Perspective
The graphic detail may trigger readers.
![“He [Pat] pushed a little wheat onto the edge of the shovel, then swung the thing around with such sudden force that the wheat might have actually made it onto the truck, if only he hadn't let go of the shovel. But he did let go of it, and it went sailing through the air like a silver spaceship…” quote by Don Lemna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a4f/don-lemna-83359_too-late_he-pat-pushed-a-little-wheat-onto-the-ed_1840912.jpg)
