Several years ago, Sonita Alizadeh's parents were considering selling her into marriage in order to pay for her older brother's bride. Alizadeh, an Afghan refugee who was living in Iran at the time, dreamt instead of getting an education.
While such conflict plays out for millions of girls around the world every year, Alizadeh decided to channel her despair into rapping. Eventually, with the help of a documentarian, she turned her song "Brides for Sale" into a viral YouTube video. Now Alizadeh is an activist who fights against child marriage.
On Sept. 23, at the 2018 Social Good Summit in New York City, she debuted a new song, "Brave and Bold."
Oh, and she did get that education, moving to Utah in order to attend high school and receive her diploma. College is now in her sights.
In advance of her performance at the Social Good Summit, Alizadeh answered questions via email about what inspires her and how people can advocate against child marriage.
1) Can you share some details about the inspiration for your new song?
As I have been advocating to end child marriage, I’ve been meeting and learning about all the incredible young people out there doing the work in their countries and communities to help girls. It is very inspiring! I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we can make change. I think that it starts with a decision to be brave and bold -- to really do something. And young people are doing it. Whether it is working to end child marriage or to addressing another problem they see! I want to share these kinds of stories and inspire more people to do the same. The problems of the world can keep us down. Let’s focus on what we can do. It’s a lot! We can all be brave and bold.
2) Who are your favorite rappers and why do they inspire you?
There are so many amazing rappers in this world that I find it hard to mention one name. I am inspired by many of them. But the real inspiration for my music and my advocacy comes from people. I am inspired by what I see people endure and how I see them rise. Music is my tool to share this. I love when other musicians and rappers do the same.
3) You talk a lot about the importance of dreams. What dreams are you working toward right now?
I have many dreams that I am working towards right now. The first is to help end child marriage. Although the rate of child marriages around the world has decreased from 15 million to 12 million every year, we still have a long way to go. That is still 12 million dreams lost. 12 million futures gone. My dream is for every girl to reach her full potential. I am currently working towards that dream through my advocacy.
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Growing up I always dreamed about being in a real school. I didn’t have any formal education. I recently graduated from high school and now my dream is to complete my higher education. I am working on it! Having dreams give me energy and hope to not give up. So, everyday I keep adding to my Dreams Book, where I put images of myself realizing my dreams, and then I work towards it.
4) What can someone watching your videos, who isn't affected by child marriage, do today to help stop the practice?
The first thing people can do is to educate themselves. In order to change something, the first step is to learn more about it. Understanding a problem is half the solution. Every one of us have the power to take an action. I want people who are relatively safe to speak up for the ones who are in danger. We can do that. Each one of us are powerful and our voices are powerful force for change. We will make the path for the next generation. We need to all work together for that.
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Coverage of the 2018 Social Good Summit
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Nick Kroll's 'Big Mouth' is the conversation about sex you never had as a teen
6 things Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco wants you to know about sign language
Little Miss Flint's 5 awesome tips for becoming a young activist
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is putting children first
About Social Good Summit
The intersection of technology and new media has redefined our understanding of human progress. In the midst of this rapidly changing world, the Social Good Summit focuses on where we’re headed. Held annually during the United Nations General Assembly week, the Summit unites a lively community of global citizens and progressive thought leaders around a common theme: #2030NOW. A dynamic exploration of the world we want to live in by 2030, the Social Good Summit will focus on how we can unlock technology’s potential to make the world a better place. For complete event details, visit socialgoodsummit.com.
This year's summit is brought to you by Mashable, the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme, and the 92nd Street Y. For complete event details, visit socialgoodsummit.com.
Topics Activism Music Social Good
