Late Night Thoughts: DARFUR/DARFUR

Watching television a half-an-hour ago, I felt compelled to post before heading to bed.

As reported in a local news story, on WROC Channel 8, about an exhibit which will be opening at the George Eastman House, here in River City, this tomorrow. Entitled DARFUR/DARFUR, is the first in a larger planned series of exhibits, Witness: Know War, Know Genocide. As indicated by the exhibits title, the intention of DARFUR/DARFUR is to "portray life in Dar fur, a region where people deal with starvation, disease and genocide." (Note: The picture below, while equally powerfful, is NOT from the collection on exhibit.)

My practical knowledge of Darfur is limited and consists mostly of a variety of recollections and acquaintances who have had a more real relationship with the African continent. I am also marginally aware of the terrible goings on in Darfur, mostly through reading accounts on-line or seeing video from the television.

While working with a local professional sports team, I had, on one occasion, the chance to meet some Lost Boys of Sudan, who are granted, from a different part of Africa, but who have likewise had a tremendously challenging life. For these folks a long journey brought them here to America. Additionally, at the charter school I worked at previously, one of my colleagues, an African himself, would return to Africa each summer, with students from the community, to bring supplies.

The point of sharing these brief anecdotes is to further reinforce the very few degrees of existence and experience that separate us, as members of this global community. Often while we have not had the misfortune or fortunes to experience certain aspects of life, we know someone who has.

The DARFUR/DARFUR exhibition will be on view at the George Eastman House through April 22. I hope to view the exhibit sometime in the next week, with comment to follow.

Adio, wli nanawalmezi.