Wow! It's been a long ass time since I've posted here. I haven't even lurked. I'm on here again because I want to hear a response from a more diverse group of people. My co-workers responses were, "Oh, did you say something important?" Also, I'm kind of new to the subject so if I'm misinformed, please feel free to correct me.
As an elective for my Senior year of High School I opted to take Genocide Studies. It's a class that teaches you all the information about all the genocides that have occured and are happening in the present. We just finished learning about the Armenian Genocide and now we're learning about Darfur.
Darfur is a region on the western side of Sudan, Africa. It's mostly desert and Darfur literally means 'house of the Furs'. The furs are a big group in the country. The country's religious groups are mostly Muslims, Christians, and Aminests (I don't know if I said that right). The groups that are at war right now are the Arabs vs the Non-Arabs.
The Janjaweed, which translates into men on horseback, are an independent mlitia. They are funded by the government of Sudan. The government gives them jeeps, machine guns, and jets.
This is where the genocide starts.
Almost daily, a villiage is going about their daily business when they hear horses, cars, and planes approaching. The janjaweed show up and immediately kill every able bodied male. Next, they round up every female and pick out ones they wish to gang rape. They will rape any female ages 8 and up. This is to A) traumatize the victim, and B) make them pregnant and give birth to a lighter skinned baby. Some boys have been raped as well, but that's really rare. Then, they steal anything of value or anything they need and burn the villiage to the ground. The people left alive are then displaced. As they travel to find shelter or a refuge camp, the janjaweed sometimes attacks them again.
The displaced citizens cross the border into the neighboring country of Chad. Sometimes, however, the janjaweed cross the border and attack them there as well.
Almost 3,000,000 people have been displaced and over 500,000 people have been killed. The numbers rise daily. United Nations cannot enter the country and help as of now because they cannot without permission from Sudan.
Now, I have to confess for the longest time I did not want to help thise people. Being an 18-year-old in America I was worried that if we went to war in yet ANOTHER place they'd make a draft and I could be drafted. Once my teacher showed me pictures and videos my mind changed completely. You have to see the evidence for yourself to get the full look at it.
I joined my schools Save Darfur Now club. It raises money for Doctors Without Borders. It's an organization that sends doctors to foreign places to help out. Last year our school raised $7,000 and this year we've already raised well over $2,000. It averages about $200 a week.
I know that you're not in my school, thus you can't contribute. But there is something you can do. On savedarfur.org there's a small form that all you do is type in your name and it will send a letter to Congress. It takes five minutes tops and you can help spread awareness and show Congress that you care.
So, what do you think? Does anyone have an opinion of the genocide? Have you heard any new news? Discuss.
As an elective for my Senior year of High School I opted to take Genocide Studies. It's a class that teaches you all the information about all the genocides that have occured and are happening in the present. We just finished learning about the Armenian Genocide and now we're learning about Darfur.
Darfur is a region on the western side of Sudan, Africa. It's mostly desert and Darfur literally means 'house of the Furs'. The furs are a big group in the country. The country's religious groups are mostly Muslims, Christians, and Aminests (I don't know if I said that right). The groups that are at war right now are the Arabs vs the Non-Arabs.
The Janjaweed, which translates into men on horseback, are an independent mlitia. They are funded by the government of Sudan. The government gives them jeeps, machine guns, and jets.
This is where the genocide starts.
Almost daily, a villiage is going about their daily business when they hear horses, cars, and planes approaching. The janjaweed show up and immediately kill every able bodied male. Next, they round up every female and pick out ones they wish to gang rape. They will rape any female ages 8 and up. This is to A) traumatize the victim, and B) make them pregnant and give birth to a lighter skinned baby. Some boys have been raped as well, but that's really rare. Then, they steal anything of value or anything they need and burn the villiage to the ground. The people left alive are then displaced. As they travel to find shelter or a refuge camp, the janjaweed sometimes attacks them again.
The displaced citizens cross the border into the neighboring country of Chad. Sometimes, however, the janjaweed cross the border and attack them there as well.
Almost 3,000,000 people have been displaced and over 500,000 people have been killed. The numbers rise daily. United Nations cannot enter the country and help as of now because they cannot without permission from Sudan.
Now, I have to confess for the longest time I did not want to help thise people. Being an 18-year-old in America I was worried that if we went to war in yet ANOTHER place they'd make a draft and I could be drafted. Once my teacher showed me pictures and videos my mind changed completely. You have to see the evidence for yourself to get the full look at it.
I joined my schools Save Darfur Now club. It raises money for Doctors Without Borders. It's an organization that sends doctors to foreign places to help out. Last year our school raised $7,000 and this year we've already raised well over $2,000. It averages about $200 a week.
I know that you're not in my school, thus you can't contribute. But there is something you can do. On savedarfur.org there's a small form that all you do is type in your name and it will send a letter to Congress. It takes five minutes tops and you can help spread awareness and show Congress that you care.
So, what do you think? Does anyone have an opinion of the genocide? Have you heard any new news? Discuss.