Emmanuel Jal
Emmanuel Jal
Emmanuel Jalis a South Sudanese-Canadian musician, former child soldier, and political activist. His autobiography, War Child: A Child Soldier's Story, was published in 2009...
NationalitySudanese
ProfessionActivist
Date of Birth1 January 1980
CountrySudan
beggars came knew shocked streets
I was shocked when I came to New Orleans. I never knew there were beggars on the streets here. I didn't know that there were poor people. I thought this was Heaven, you know?
amazing lyrics music problem rap writes
Rap music is amazing, it's beautiful. But the problem is the lyrics. The person who writes the lyrics - that's the problem.
music
Music moves my emotions because music loosens me up.
allow aside hunger music tragedy uplifted war
In times of war, starvation, hunger and injustice, such tragedy can only be put aside if you allow yourself to be uplifted through music, film and dance.
children war
The wealthiest Sudanese don't know what war is. Their children are safe in school.
time war
The first time I experienced war, I thought the world was ending.
enter music
Music - it's the only thing that can enter your system, your mind, your heart, without your permission.
anyone fighting found hard kept mentality time
When I first went to school, I was fighting all the time. The soldier mentality was still in me. I kept getting expelled. I found it hard to take instructions from anyone who wasn't a military commander.
deal forces helps inner music outside trying
What music does to me, it helps me balance my inner pressure so that I can deal with the forces outside that are trying to pressure me.
eye people evil
The worst people on earth are not only those who commit evil, but those who stand by and turn a blind eye
powerful heart soul
Music is powerful. It is the only thing that can speak into your mind, your heart and your soul without your permission.
fighting soldier paper
I'm still a soldier, fighting with my pen and paper for peace till the day I cease.
giving-up dont-give-up talking
I still have nightmares of dead comrades, a long time ago, talking to me. 'Emmanuel, don't forget about us, don't give up, keep telling our story.'
challenges that-one-person chance
I am proof that one person can rise above any challenge, and if I can, then so will others if they are given the chance.