Darfur in Ten Minutes

There are times when I am amazed at my ignorance in such a global environment.  Other activists often look down on my honesty and humility saying, "I can't believe that you didn't know.." or "How could you not know or care to know..."  Unfortunately, they miss the beauty of me becoming what they want - aware.

Keisha, a new friend, is nuts and torn about Darfur.  She can't speak because she has all but given up on the US or the World doing anything about this rebellion is Sudan gone bad.  She feels hopeless.  She also looks at me with tolerant but wondering eyes that say, "How can you not know?"  She, however, is an activist who celebrates, instead of berates, my awareness.  

This movie link came from her and now comes to you.  Certainly, you will see that greed and need drove a small group to rebel against a large group.  There is no justification for that violence that Darfur began but there is no justification for the genocide that China and Sudan continue to sponsor.

War is ugly and I would argue wrong unless necessary for the defense of innocent people who deserve to be protected.  I wish there were no more war but, at least, there is some logic, albeit weak, to understand when soldiers kill one another and their people suffer the effects of such a defensive war.  However, to sponsor the killing of people or people groups simply to remove them is genocide - not war.

They say our voices are the strongest thing we have going to end this genocide.  I will write but after 400,000 deaths and nothing but empty promises and impotent actions by the world community - my hope is not high. If you were not aware, I am sorry to be the one making you aware but I celebrate your awareness.  

Write one letter and pray - people will be dying from the results of this genocide and displacement - today.

Comments

[Paula Strickland]

To whom do we write, and what do we say? I'm in, just need the details.

[Doug Burrier]

Use this URL to send a quick email to Johnny Isakson from his website. He just returned from Darfur.

http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

[Doug Burrier]

Paula - my letter follows for a help to all trying to figure out what to do.
------------------------

Dear Senator Isakson,

I just watched yet another video about the impotent actions and unfulfilled promises of the global society to intervene and stop the genocide in Darfur.

Knowing that you have just returned from Africa, I am hopeful that mine and many other's letters will compel our Senators, Congressmen and the Executive branch to institute some real and immediate measures to say, "The USA is done with genocide even when those dying started the skirmish."

As I wrote today, "There is no justification for the violence that Darfur began but there is no justification for the genocide that China and Sudan continue to sponsor. War is ugly and I would argue wrong unless necessary for the defense of innocent people who deserve to be protected. I wish there were no more war but, at least, there is some logic, albeit weak, to understand when soldiers kill one another and their people suffer the effects of such a defensive war. However, to sponsor the killing of people or people groups simply to remove them is genocide - not war."

I, humbly, request that you raise your voice to the Senate, the President and to the Country doing your part to stand against the genocide in Darfur with the hope that other nations will join us.

Further, I request that though trade is profitable with China, we restrict trade and discontinue relations with this country that is sponsoring and funding the genocide in Darfur. How can we profit against the lives of those in Africa and find ourselves sleeping at night? It would be better to not be a country than to be one built on innocent blood.

Thank you for reading. I can not imagine the depth and difficulty of your work but please do what you can and let me know if I can help.

Sincerely,

Douglas Burrier

[Doug Burrier]

You can also write President Obama at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/