Overnight.
Everything changed overnight.
They sent troops overnight.
They launched missiles overnight.
They launched an invasion overnight.
The whole world, stunned.
The whole world stopped.
The whole world watched.
Strangers’ and my Loved ones’ lives changed overnight.
Children's lives changed overnight.
Their futures, uncertain.
Their homes, unsafe.
Everything changed overnight.
In the midst of chaos,
A burning planet
A hungry planet
A plagued planet,
Under the shelter of darkness
Came more chaos.
There were signs
After all, nothing happens overnight.
And things take time.
It was decades in the making.
So often, those in power
Start to feel invincible.
And so often, those in power
Are consumed by Greed and Ignorance.
We see it now, the world over
It’s a deathly combination.
Because it’s this combination
That curtails change and progress
And it’s this combination that allows chaos to freely flourish
The everyday people aren’t the priority.
Self-interest of the select few in power tops the hierarchy.
We see it now, the world over.
But how can everything change overnight?
In a shrinking world
Nothing happens in isolation.
The decisions of the west
Control the futures of the east.
The same goes the other way.
It’s a co-dependent world.
With the select few calling all the shots.
That’s why everything changed overnight.
But there is no time to sit and cry.
There are no tears left to cry.
There are no magic words to solve all problems.
There is only action.
We must always, at least try.
You play with the cards
That life, and the powerful, deal you.
You keep trying your best
Keep making plans
Keep hopeful
Keep laughing
Keep playing the game.
You manoeuvre through the game
Trying to control what you can.
But so much of the game is designed by others
Designed so the game makers profit
But you have to keep playing.
You have to keep trying
Because all you need for a fire, is a single spark.
And bit by bit the spark gets brighter
It might be a very long night
It might be many nights
But then, all of a sudden a lot can happen in one single night
Because, as we know
It took years
Then all at once
Everything changed overnight.
What’s going on between Russia and Ukraine breaks my heart. It has changed the world and changed the course of history — regardless of whether this ends up being a ‘short war’ or if it ends up involving other countries. My heart breaks for everyone in Ukraine and everyone who has friends or family there. It is horrendous to have to fear for your lives like this. The impact will last a lifetime, if not generations.
There is no way to prepare for war — physically, emotionally or mentally. The effects of war last forever. The consequences don’t go away.
My heart also breaks for the people in Russia who have been dragged into Putin’s War, a war that they don’t want and never asked for. It has been horrendous thinking of what could happen to my family there. What this war could mean for them. How it might affect them. Putin’s actions will not go unaddressed. This will not be forgotten. There will be action. Whether that’s military or economic sanctions, time will tell. Irrespective of what happens to Putin, the people of Russia will also be the ones who will face the lasting consequences — economically, socially, mentally and physically.
Overnight. is about feeling out of control and feeling hopeless and like there’s no point in anything. Because that’s how it feels. But it’s also about needing to stay hopeful. And that we need to keep trying, keep pushing through. Sooner or later, what you do does have the power to make a difference.
Explainers
- Ros Atkins on Twitter
- BBC SoundCloud
- Media controls the world. Make sure what you’re consuming and sharing is ACCURATE. FACT CHECK
