Act to help Darfur
By Nancy Chanin Sneider, The Sun-Sentinel
Dec 19, 2005 — Not too long ago, I affixed a magnetic green ribbon to my car that says, “SaveDarfur.org.” I put this ribbon on my car hoping that it will raise awareness about the millions of innocent people being slaughtered in the Darfur region of Sudan.
I don’t have a yellow ribbon on my car, because personally, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t support our troops, regardless of his or her position on the war in Iraq. However, I do know that there are many very intelligent people out there who haven’t the slightest idea about what is going on in Darfur.
The history and politics of the situation is complex, but the consequences are clear and alarming. According to the literature generated by the Web site: “There, government-sponsored militias are killing, raping, beating and torturing innocent men, women and children. Tens of thousands have already died and hundreds more die daily.”
Is there anything we can do? SaveDarfur.org suggests several ways we can help stop the genocide.
One suggestion, “…write to your newspaper. Ask for more coverage about Darfur” seems like a good place to start. The average person probably knows far more about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes than about Darfur.
Nicholas D. Kristof of The New York Times has written several heartrending pieces describing the daily horrors faced by the people of Darfur. I applaud his coverage and hope that many more journalists will follow suit. Clearly, this is not a story that should be relegated to the back pages of our newspapers.
Genocidal acts should inspire fear in all of us. In the last century alone, Cambodians, Rwandans, Bosnians and victims of Nazi Germany have perished in a most unthinkable fashion. We look back and ask ourselves, “Why didn’t anybody do anything?” However, I think most of us realize how easy it is to ignore that which does not directly affect us.
Congressional leaders recently eliminated $50 million that was supposed to help the people of Darfur. Please take the time to let our government know that we should be doing more, not less, to ameliorate the situation.
Religious leaders also can help keep their congregations informed.
I am hopeful that this holiday season, each of us will consider donating money to a humanitarian relief agency to help prevent future death and destruction in Sudan.
Please visit SaveDarfur.org and remember what this time of year is all about: Peace on earth and good will to all men.
Nancy Chanin Sneider lives in Boca Raton.