<p>It's so hard to lose contact with people. My best friend and I spoke with him on Sunday June 2nd. He was whispering on the phone about how he was hiding because there's a massacre happening at the current moment. Shortly after our conversation, the internet was cut off. I did not know where he was or what happened to him because the internet had been blocked off completely and still is. I had no way of knowing if he was alive or dead. I was freaking out. I started to look on his social media, his last tweets, and location until finally I connected with his brother. I sent him a message but I didn't hear back so I had to wait, being hopeful. This was so painful. The "not knowing" was so difficult. I lost hope that my best friend was alive. Only to find out he was okay but my other friend had died. He was beaten to death while protecting two or three women.</p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByX9fPLnv4B/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Shahd 🇸🇩 شهد on Instagram: “It’s really hard being an influencer and sharing information that is “off brand” and not worthy of the “feed” but I cannot hold this in…”</a></p>
</div></blockquote></div><p>I was at work when I got the news. I hadn't been around my friends or family, I was devastated. I turned to social media and posted a photo of myself, crying. I didn't have words to describe how I was feeling. The photo wasn't even the most accurate representation of the tears I was crying. I was alone in my office—beyond emotional. I couldn't even give my condolences to my friend's family. I was so hurt. I shared a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByX9fPLnv4B/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet" target="_blank">post, that has since gone viral, </a>that was just me spreading awareness about what was happening in Sudan. Since then, the post has reached 2 million people and has spread so much awareness. it makes me so proud to be able to be the voice of my people considering I am not physically with them. That I see them and I care about them and though we are peaceful protestors, I know the power of my influence now.<br></p><p>Social media is very important in activism. I am learning to find a balance between that and my aesthetic influencing that I routinely do. I hope this inspires you to donate, share information about Sudan, change your profile picture to blue, and check on your Sudanese friends.</p>
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