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
heart cold protection
A cold heart is my protection mechanism. I don't really feel anything for anyone.
heart mind paper
Peace may be negotiated by politicians, but it is something written in hearts and minds not on pieces of paper
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.
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.
children war
The wealthiest Sudanese don't know what war is. Their children are safe in school.
people
Young people are so brave when they go to fight.
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.
enter music
Music - it's the only thing that can enter your system, your mind, your heart, without your permission.
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?
continue people
What I always wanted to do when I was a kid was to speak out and help people which I continue to do afterwards.
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.
affects destroys heal invisible lifetime lives people physical war
War destroys people's souls. Most people focus on physical injuries, but the invisible injuries can take a lifetime to heal and affects the lives of generations to come.
people sing
When I listen to hip-hop, it's like no big difference how people sing in my village, 'cause bling would be their cow.