Swedish Poets: 'We Learned How to Vote, But Rarely Got to Speak'

In an opinion piece for Dagens Nyheter, poets Marx Mukaru and Nasir Sarr explore the complex relationship between learning about democracy and experiencing marginalization as young people in Sweden.

“

We learned how to vote, but rarely got the word.

They describe a societal environment where expressing oneself, particularly about difficult realities like violence, is discouraged. The poets use the metaphor of being asked to "lower their tone" and "whisper their dreams," suggesting that while they were taught the mechanics of voting and democratic rights, their actual ability to participate and be heard was often stifled.

“

We were told to sit and listen, persuaded that talking is silver, but that silence is gold.

Mukaru and Sarr contrast the lessons of civic education with their lived experiences, where speaking out could lead to being silenced or ostracized. They question the adage that "silence is golden," implying that for those whose voices are already marginalized, silence can mean being forgotten or unheard.

“

We didn't want to be silenced speakers, so we paid the price and became the city's most expensive mouth by telling the city exactly how we should improve things.

The poets articulate a powerful desire to overcome this suppression. They assert their right to speak, even if it means facing challenges or paying a price. Their work challenges the reader to consider the value of every voice and the importance of creating spaces where young people, especially those from diverse backgrounds, can express themselves freely and authentically.

“

Street has found its voice.