Remembering Darfur

While checking my e-mail today, I noticed I had once again received a request for a donation from SaveDarfur.com, an eponymous organization to whom I had at some point contributed a small amount of money. Looking though the on-line resources available on the site, I came across this trailer for the film The Devil Came on Horseback:



Powerful stuff, for sure. Last January, Anne and I had the opportunity to see this film as part of the touring DARFUR/DARFUR exhibit locally at the George Eastman House. I've followed the "situation" in the news and through the fairly regular updates from a number of not-for-profits, and it is very discouraging to observe the continuance of this kind of genocide happening with little real "super power" (uh... us) intervention.

Looking for some hope for the future, I looked into the current crop of Republican and Democratic presidential contenders to see what each had in mind for a potential Africa policy. A few had released policy positions, but of the major players for both parties, only John Edwards had an articulated proposal. (At least available for review with on savedarfur.com.)

For what it's worth, John continues to be the nominee I would most like to see get the nod for a general election run. He and his wife's commitment to battle on behalf of, not only, for regular folks, but for those who are suffering across the world is admirable and sincere. I wish I was smarter about politics so I could better articulate to others why I like John Edwards as a candidate, but for now I'll continue to offer support through participation in a variety of letter writing campaigns, donating a couple dollars and educating myself (and others when I can)...

Embrassez votre été invincible!

3° of Separating... Whatever

Why post this video above (care of Youtube)?

The Internet, like the world, is an increasingly small place, and it feels sometimes like we are more and more frequently inhabiting a space in which everything is separated by six degrees or less. (Not that this is necessarily a bad thing...)

The video above is a case in point.

Like many of you, I have signed up for a bunch of different listservs most with a wide range of topics ranging from Buddhism, animal rights, human rights, John Edwards for President, Darfur and prayer power. Yup, prayer power. This morning I received an e-mail from the prayer power people, announcing that some members related to this group would be appearing on Oprah tomorrow to discuss a recently public book.

About five weeks ago while perusing the web for inspirational quotes or videos or magic to motivate my students to success on the state exam, I came across the video above. Although I never did show it to my kids, it worked for me... the images, the accompanying music, and positive, thoughtful prompts. I kind of got it. Little did I know that the video is also an advertisement for the book to be promoted on Oprah tomorrow.

Again, not a bad thing, but it seems like the "lines" are getting greyer and despite our "knowing" more, the world is still getting smaller; this one took only two to three degrees of separation.

Adio, wli nanawalmezi.

A Visit to DARFUR/DARFUR

Take a moment and Google the word "darfur," and you are sure to be greeted by terrible images of death, poverty and worse. Oddly, while the word has (finally) begun to seep into our national dialogue, the magnitude of the horror remains just outside our personal understanding. Of course, in the end, I can only speak for myself. While I am aware of the plight of Africans, I can't put my hand on it, so it lacks meaning to me. This I am ashamed to admit.

But, I would like to become more aware and it is in that interest that I, in part, planned my weekend activities. Sunday afternoon, Anne and I took advantage of some personal free time to take in the national exhibit DARFUR/DARFUR, which was beginning a 4 month visit to local monument, the George Eastman House. DARFUR/DARFUR is a travelling exhibit of digitally presented images of the genocide in the Darfur region of Africa. Photographs in the presentation were taken by photojournalists Lynsey Addario, Mark Brecke, Helene Caux, Ron Haviv, Paolo Pellegrin, Ryan Spencer Reed, and Michal Safdie, as well as, U.S. Marine Brian Steidle. The presentation of images is accompanied by a mix of what seems to be both traditional, and more contemporary remixes of traditional, Sudanese music. In any case the music complimented the depth and power of the images they accompanied.

Also on display were three excerpts from upcoming longer form documentaries which are currently under production. The snippets, consisting primarily of still photos and personal recollections of the tragedy in Darfur, were shown on a loop, allowing for repeated viewing.

The repeated viewing of terrible, tragic, heartbreaking, necessary images.

Take a moment and Google the word "darfur," then if you have any questions, check the following links:

SaveDarfur.org
Darfur: A Genocide We Can Stop

Personally, while taking in the presentations, I could not help but be saddened by the memory of a past self I had forgotten, who would have wished to respond to the pain...

Adio, wli nanawalmezi.