#EndSARS: UK author under fire over claim she named protesters ‘Soro Soke’

Trish Lorenz, the British journalist and author, has come under fire over her latest book titled ‘Soro Soke: The Young Disruptors of an African Megacity’.

‘Soro Soke’, a Yoruba phrase, which means speak louder in English, was a popular term used by Nigerians during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020.

The protest, which lasted for about two weeks, was aimed at ending police brutality and excesses of operatives of the now-disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) in the country.

In the book, Lorenz examined the bravery of youths who led the movement and featured the views of some Nigerians who took part in the demonstration.

The Berlin-based journalist had taken to Twitter to celebrate the project which was published on May 26. She also said the book won her the 2021/2022 Nine Dots Prize — which honours creative thinking that tackles contemporary societal issues.

But in an interview on the book, the author had claimed she was the one who named the protesters “Soro Soke generation”.

“This cohort exhibits a confident outspokenness and a tendency for creative disruption, leading me to name them the Soro Soke generation (Soro Soke means ‘speak out’ in the Yoruba language),” she said.

Her claim has, however, provoked a chorus of backlash from many Nigerians on Twitter.

Several users accused her of trying to take credit for the term despite the fact that she did not initiate it.

“You named us Soro Soke generation. How? This is how these writers publish false and not so authentic stories. The next generation will read this and believe that Trish Lorenz a white woman, gave a name to Nigerians fighting for their right,” a user wrote.

“This is exactly what the white people did to our ancestors. Took many African heritages and forefathers, and claimed it to be theirs. Trish Lorenz @mstrishlorenz didn’t tweet once for the #EndSARS struggle in 2020 but this is 2022 and she’s appropriating the soro soke generation!” another user wrote.

https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/endsars-uk-author-under-fire-over-claim-she-named-protesters-soro-soke/

I am so excited that my first book, Soro Soke, is published today. To see it advertised in the CUP bookstore windows is mind blowing. I can’t stop smiling.

https://twitter.com/mstrishlorenz/status/1529788479521050626?t=fRyqs9pmVJ_sd1Q5RN-99g&s=19

"In particular, growing urbanisation and access to new technology are defining this generation. Enabled by the megacities in which they live and by access to technological advances - which together offer opportunities that were out of reach or simply did not exist for previous cohorts - a creative, entrepreneurial and self-assured generation is emerging; global in outlook but rooted in and proud of their Nigerian and African identity. This cohort exhibits a confident outspokenness and a tendency for creative disruption, leading me to name them the Soro Soke generation (Soro Soke means 'speak out' in the Yoruba language)."

Reading...


Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwolu, addressing "End SARS" Protesters and someone from the crowd shouted; "SORO SOKE WERE"

Cultural appropriation

What I have seen here is that Africans have started colonizing the white through their languages.

Nigerian youths in 2020 - Sorosoke generation Nigerian youths in 2023 - Generation

The word "Soro Soke" has been in existence before Trish Lorenz was born.

Soro Soke

Hmmm, y did she do this?

few days before #endSars the term soro soke was already trending on the internet due to one one Lola Idije video that went viral
incidentally it falls with endSars protest
this woman claiming she named the movement is really absurd
what do this people really take us for self ...dumb monkeys??

if she say na she name am soro soke, ehn na she na

She needs to be cancelled on Twitter worldwide so that she won't sell a cent in that her useless book

Attache by force, iranu

Lol

Which way??

I knew this will attract alot of Ado

I believe it means nothing except after reading the book we can now think otherwise.

People are fighting themselves over Yoruba words and Phrase...


God Bless Yoruba Language
God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria

This Man Once Said