Save Darfur

Darfur: Why Should We Care?

By Veronica Jones of McKinly Technology High School

Darfur is home to over 30 ethnic groups, all African and all Muslim. Since early 2003, Sudanese government soldiers and their proxy ethnic militia, known as the Janjaweed, have fought rebel groups in the western region of Darfur. The government and Janjaweed strategy has been to carry out systematic assaults against civilians from the same ethnic groups as the rebels: the Fur, Zaghawa, and Masaalit.

This is genocide. In 2004, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum declared a Genocide Emergency for Darfur. Government-sponsored actions include inflaming ethnic conflicts, impeding international humanitarian access, bombing civilian targets from aircrafts, the murdering and raping of civilians, and other heinous genocidal activities. Approximately 2,500 rapes occurred in the year 2006 alone.

This information goes unnoticed by teens in America. If the news doesn’t contain the newest gear or game of the season, many are unaware of what’s taking place. This is not acceptable. Just because these horrors are not here in the USA doesn’t mean that we should not be concerned. There are things we can do to help for the victims of Darfur.

Those who are interested in the fight for Darfur can follow these guidelines [presented by the Holocaust Memorial Museum]:

1) JOIN THE COMMUNITY OF CONSCIENCE
a. Visit websites such as www.savedarfur.org and www.ushmm.org/conscience for more information and updates on Darfur.

2) CONTACT THE MEDIA
a. Tell them you want better coverage of Darfur.

3) COMMUNICATE WITH DECISION MAKERS
a. Stress the need to provide humanitarian assistance, protect civilians, stop the violence, and promote a solution to end the genocide in Darfur.
b. Contact government officials and members of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.

4) GET ENGAGED IN YOUR COMMUNITY
a. Talk about Darfur with friends, family, members of organizations you belong to, and coworkers- help to spread the word.

5) SUPPORT EDUCATION AND RELIEF EFFORTS
a. Support the ongoing efforts to draw attention to what is happening in Darfur. Find out more about who is on the ground in Darfur and what they are doing, and how you can help.

Please remember that this genocide can be ended and YOUR voice can make a difference, so I’m begging you all: DO NOT BE SILENT!