protests Out burst

On Wednesday of last week protests were held in three cities of northern Sudan. Their hope was to get fellow community members involved, but were not successful because the police broke up the protest using violence if necessary. The citizens within these cities were not even allowed to express themselves in their home town, because the government is afraid that the citizens will turn against them in order to end this chaos. Legal rights and restrictions are much different in Africa, which is part of the reason why no affirmative action has taken place. Key, “Witnesses reported small protests in Dillinj in South Kordofan state, Khartoum and Zalengei town in Darfur before police broke them up” (Darfuris hold anti-government protest in Sudan’s north). These types of confrontations occur all the time in Sudan and Darfur, because the government system set up their citizens up to die. ‘“These protests are against the restrictions on freedom imposed by this government which continues to kill innocent people,’ Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army spokesman Nimr Mohamed Abdelrahman told Reuters.” Then, “Khartoum blames the Western media for exaggerating Darfur’s conflict and does not recognize the ICC’s authority.” (Darfuris hold anti-government protest in Sudan’s north). The government officials in Khartoum must be the most ignorant, bullheaded morons, because they honestly think that what they’re doing is acceptable and legal. These government officials should be charged with killing millions of innocent African citizens. I feel that we as Americans need to spread awareness, and get others involved in order to make a difference. As we continue to spread awareness, our government will finally have the common sense to act to end the genocide in Africa. The genocide is spreading rapidly, and the only way to make a difference is by spreading awareness with friends, family, and other youth groups. It is an easy way to get involved, and makes a huge difference whether one believes it or not. 

Ready, Aim, Wait

The situation in Darfur and in Sudan is not got getting any better because hundred's are still dying and thousands are being displaced each and every day. Albert Einstein once stated that, "Stupidity is a person doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome," any yet our government does not seem to understand that our actions currently are not working. Our government needs to implement new laws and restrictions throughout and Sudan, in order to have any chance in ending the genocide. Clearly peace treaties have not worked in the past, so in order to save the citizens I feel that the United States government needs to over through the Janjaweed which is a government supported militia. Their government is setting their citizens up to die and, "The Government of Sudan is using strategies that were first used against the south for many years. By manipulating pre-existing tribal divisions, the Government has played a major role is splintering the opposition movements into factions and has attempted to buy off one small group at a time rather than pursuing a broader peace through transparent negotiation with all parties. This tactic of divide and conquer creates inequality, dissatisfaction and mistrust between the rebel factions, delaying or preventing the creation of a unified political opposition" (Andrew Natsios). It is clear that the Sudanese government is setting up the citizens of Darfur and Sudan to die, and there is no denying it. The Sudanese government systematically planned to kill specific groups of people at certain times, by forming the Janjaweed and other rebel forces. This genocide is very similar to the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994, where the minority of Tutsi's, who had controlled power for centuries, and the majority Hutu peoples, who had come to power in the rebellion of 1959–1962 and overthrown the Tutsi monarchy. It is the United States responsibility to get involved and end the genocide, because as we have learned in the past genocides waiting does not make the situation any better. The United States stated that we as a country would, “Never Again,”  let another genocide take place in front of our eyes, but the United States has not learned that lesson yet, which will lead to the deaths of  hundreds of thousands of people. We are witnessing a modern day Holocaust and yet, “Congress, individual activists, and the huge array of committed non-governmental organizations can and should continue to shine a spotlight on Khartoum’s enablers” (Andrew Natsios). It is our job as the citizens of the United States to pressure our government to act, in order to show how significant this genocide is because our government does not seem to think it is all that important. Putting pressure on government officials, writing letters to congress, and raising money are all ways one can get involved in order to make a difference. Starting an organization with friends and family is another great way to get involved and raise awareness in order to end this genocide once and for all.  

What do we believe is right?

I feel that if we are not doing anything to better the situation then were making the situation worse. We as the people of the United States need to form a organization devoted to ending the genocide, for good.  I learned more about what our government is doing in order to fulfill our three objectives. The United States government, “Primary objectives seem to be to ensure their own representation in the national government, to achieve and maintain security for their people through the dismantling of the institutions of violence that have oppressed them for to long, and to share in the benefits of the country’s economic growth” (Congressional Testimony). It does not surprise me that our government wants to proper from the tragic event. Their goal should be saving lives, not trying to make money off of this genocide. Our country needs to stand true to our beliefs and morals as a country, and do what is right in order to be loyal and caring country. “The second objective of the U.S. Government is to ensure the protection of non-combatants as well as the protection of the humanitarian aid efforts managed by thousands of aid for more than two and a half million people” (Congressional Testimony). Wouldn’t you think that our government would realize that we as a country needs to send more supports because what we are doing right now is not doing very much.  Our government needs to set up aid facilities where family can get help, and clinics to take care of people with a specific need. In order to make the largest impact we need to spread out throughout the countries in order to insure safety and show existence. I feel that the Untied States should make sure that other countries are helping and doing their part, “However, if we find the Sudanese government is obstructing progress on these objectives, the Unites States government will change its policy of negotiation and will pursue more coercive measures” (Congressional Testimony). When people are in danger you save them, there is no negation of the genocide in Darfur so I feel that these objectives are strong, because if the Untied States government does not believe another countries actions are right then they may choose to act differently. This shows that the Untied States is trying to help, but is also showing a lack of effort as well. This gives the United States government the ability to change the objective based on the circumstances presented. How our government decides which issues are more important than other is frightening, and the situation is not getting any better, so we must act now in order to save lives we must act now. I feel that our government should be helping out more, in order to call themselves supports of the genocide. I feel that if our government really wanted to end the genocide within a month they could, but there choosing not to because they feel that they have bigger problems on their hands. The only problems the Untied States government has is it self due to its lack of efforts. We need to stop contemplating over the idea of supporting and actually help the victims. The United States government needs to stand true to its word, and make a difference before it is too late, and the damage is already done.

Supporters or What?

I thought that it would be interesting to learn how and what the United States government supports in Darfur and Sudan, based on their interests. It is interesting to see what our government has done for Darfur and Sudan because the United States main focus is reducing human suffering. I feel that because the United States does not have any interests in Darfur or Sudan beside reducing human suffering, I believe that is why our government has not done much to remedy the situation. In order to have a better understanding of what our government is doing in Darfur and Sudan, I needed to research what our government supports in order to know what they are doing and what their goal is for that specific region. I learned that, “The U.S. government is supporting SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) military reform, though should relations with Khartoum deteriorate this program would be more difficult to implement. CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) security provisions need to be implemented now or conflict is likely to erupt in several areas around oil rich Abeyi and near Juba” (Andrew Natsios). To me this meant that our does not have a set plan supporting a group of people, because it does not seem to be set in stone. Depending on how the relationship between Khartoum is held the program can ultimately fail, leaving our government even less to work with than they had before . Each step is key in ending the genocide because depending on how our government looks at the situation larger conflicts might arise creating even more problems. The CPA was a major step in the right direction and, “I want to highlight the importance of the two year old Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that has created a fragile peace in Sudan between the north and the south after two decades of conflict during which more than 2.5 million died and four million were displaced. The CPA, the keystone of U.S. policy toward Sudan, is vulnerable. The death of the south’s charismatic leader, Dr. John Garang complicated the immediate implementation of the CPA” (Andrew Natsios). The CPA agreement is not perfect, but has created some peace In Sudan and Darfur, which shows that there is hope to ending the genocide before it is too late. When Dr. John Garang died, there was some uncertainty about implementing the agreement, which caused more violence to arise. After the implementation of the  Comprehensive Peace Agreement, citizens noticed a change in their communities. The citizens of Darfur and Sudan are extremely great full of the smallest actions, because they understand the effects of a failed peace agreement. They have seen so many systems fail in front of their eyes, which eventually leads to death.

Get involved in Darfur

As I began researching the genocide Darfur, I wanted to know if the United States had any interests in Darfur, in order to have a better understand why our government has not acted and aided the people of Darfur. It turns out that the, “United States interests in Darfur are primarily humanitarian, to reduce human suffering, protect human rights, and support a just peace. In order to meet humanitarian needs, we must have regional stability. We have no military or economic interests in Darfur. The United States opposes any effort by any group, country of movement to separate Darfur from Sudan” (Andrew Natsios). It seems that we have soldiers In Darfur and Sudan in order to slow down the genocide. I feel that our goal as a country should be to end the genocide and end human suffering, even if we don’t have any interests in the country. If the United States really wanted to make a difference in Darfur and Sudan then we should send more units of are military, in order to override the rebel government. First off, the Sudanese government needs to needs to stop supplying the Northern Arab Tribes otherwise known as the Janjiweed  As a Super Power, I feel that our government should make this genocide their top priority, and should gain national attention in order to gain supporters. Instead of having several units spread throughout Darfur and Sudan, we need to increase the number of military basis in order to end the genocide. I feel that specific areas are under United States law in order to reduce crime, but in order to end the genocide we need to act immediately fight for the citizen’s rights.  As I continued researching I learned that the, “Untied States has negligible trade with Sudan and minimal investment in the country. At the same time Sudan has built stronger economic ties with China, India Malaysia and Gulf Arab states and substantial  trade continues with japan and Europe” (Andrew Natsios). It does not amaze me that other countries felt the need to step in and make the genocide one of their countries top priorities, because what is currently happening is unacceptable. This genocide is very complex, because the Sudanese government placed many restrictions that make it difficult for other countries to help. Education is the key  in gaining supports, because a well informed activist can get others involved and interested through awareness.

Save Darfur

After watching the documentary Invisible Children, I felt obligated to take action on the genocide in Sudan and Darfur. I had heard about the genocide in Sudan, but I did not know what was happening in detail. I decided to research Darfur, because I feel that Darfur is not receiving the amount of publicity as it should. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, and millions left displaced and homeless, and I felt that in order to end the genocide, people must be educated on the topic in order to take further action. Darfur is a western region in Sudan, While researching the genocide in Darfur, I continued to find statistics on how many people have been killed, displaced, and rapped, which dawned on me because these people who have died are just being referred to as numbers. The fighting in Darfur began in 2003, and since then the violence has only risen, creating further problems for the citizens. "In May 2006, the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, by representatives of the Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), the largest rebel group in Darfur. Leaders of the AU, including President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and President (and AU Chairman) Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo (Brazzaville), helped broker the agreement" (Sudan 2006). Many had hoped that this peace agreement would help end the genocide, but because there was a lack of effort from government officials the peace agreement failed. It appears to me that the peace agreement was supposed to slow down the genocide, and make it look like the genocide was ending but in reality nothing had changed. "Khalil Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement, and Abdul Wahid Nur, head of a SLM faction, refused to sign the agreement. These two rebel leaders from Darfur claimed that the agreement did not recognize the political, economic, and cultural rights of the people of Darfur. This amazed me because these two individuals who refused to sign the agreement, believed that the agreement did not recognize or protect the citizens social statues, and yet it the people were being ruthlessly murdered and that is acceptable? As I continue to research I continue to find more information on activist groups who try to get our government involved. At this point I'm extremely upset with our government, because of the lack of effort we as a country have put forth.

Zeitoun Book Response

 

While reading Zeitoun I felt obligated to blog because felt the need to share this story with others. Zeitoun put his life at risk by staying in New Orleans, rather than leaving with his family. What I thought was interesting is that Zeitoun had the opportunity to leave town, but he decided to stay and watch after his property, business, home, and clients. “In New Orleans, Zeitoun was invigorated. He had never felt such urgency and purpose” (Zeitoun 116). After the storm hit and the majority of the physical damage was done, Zeitoun felt the need to help others in the community. Zeitoun felt the urge to get into his canoe and explore the city now under water. Zeitoun began helping others who were stranded in their house full of water, and because Zeitoun had a canoe he was able to hear the un-hearable citizens who were in danger. Zeitoun’s wife was completely against him staying home during the storm but, “His choice to stay in the city has been God’s will” (Zeitoun120). If Zeitoun hadn’t stayed home during the storm it is safe to say that others would have died because the National Guardsmen would not have gotten there in time, or because the people could not be heard over the loud fan boats. What amazed me was that during this dangerous time, Zeitoun never exchanged names with the other citizens who were with him, because they were that busy helping people. At the time their names, race, or religion did not matter, what did matter was getting the helpless people to safety. It amazes me, “That another ten thousand National Guardsmen were being sent to the region, about one-third of them directed to maintain order. There would soon be twenty-one thousand National Guard troops in the area, coming from all over the country. How could her husband be so calm when every branch of the armed forces was scrambling? (Zeitoun 115). It amazes me how that one man was able to save so many people, while the National Guardsmen maintained order. Zeitoun was able to do what the FEMA and other associations could not. He was able to get to the citizens who needed help, and turn a horrible situation into something positive. Even though New Orleans was destroyed Zeitoun, did not give up and hoped for the best in himself and others, and was able to save lives because of his outlook. “It was the very nature of this small, silent craft that allowed them to hear the quietest cries. The canoe was good, the silence was crucial” (Zeitoun 120). During these times Zeitoun wished he had a motorboat, but once he realized that the silence that came along with the canoe, he was thankful that he did not have a motorboat because he was able to hear the people who could not be heard. Zeitoun was able to help the citizens who could not be heard by the National Guardsmen or any other rescue group. It amazes me what one man was able to do in a situation like this one. This book is hard to put down once I start reading it, and I would recommend it to any one who is interested in Hurricane Katrina.

Zeitoun Book Response

To many of the citizens Hurricane Katrina did not seem to be a huge threat, because many of the citizens had experienced other hurricanes in their past, which made them believe that they could survive Katrina. I can’t imagine what it would be like having to be in that situation, having to decide to leave everything behind, or try to ride out the storm and hope for survival. When the governor of New Orleans ordered an immediate evacuation, I felt that should have been everyone’s clue to get out of there as fast as possible. I feel that the government should have evacuated the citizens, by hiring agencies to assist those who did not have any transportation means. I also feel that the citiznes who homes were closest to the levees, should have been immediately evacuated and given temporary homes because as we know now after Katrina hit everything in its path was destroyed. As the storm progressed Zeiotun felt that, “If the damage continued at this pace, it would be worse that he had predicted. And the real storm hadn’t come yet” (Zeitoun 82). I feel that the levees represented hope to the citizens of New Orleans and Zeitoun, but as we learned in class the levees were not made properly, making the whole situation even more dangerous. According to Zeitoun, “The only thing that concerned him was the levees. If the levees were breached, he knew the battle was over” (Zeitoun 80). I felt that the government acted just like the levees because first off they did not help the citizens of New Orleans. The levees were not properly formed, which put all the citizens in close vicinity in extreme danger. I personally am upset with our government’s lack of aid in New Orleans because with more effective planning and support many people would still be living today. Our government abandoned the citizens of New Orleans for days, then began calling the helpless citizens refuges. Our government should be ashamed of itself, for leaving helpless civilians to die because our government refused to act. 

Zeitoun Book Response

 


After learning about New Orleans in class I wanted to see Hurricane Katrina through the eyes of a citizen from New Orleans, to know what exactly they went through. As I continue reading I continue to learn more about Zeitoun and his wife Kathy, allowing me to see how their relation is as well. Zeitoun is a hard working man who owns his family own electrician company, and works with his wife Kathy who is receptionist and manager. Zeitoun and his family are Muslim, and while reading I have seen some challenges because they are a minority in their community. Often Kathy is asked to take of her hijab, ‘“Now you can take that think off.’ she’d been a Muslim for fifteen years and they still said this to her” (Zeitoun 67). I thought that this was a unique story because New Orleans has a diverse community, and yet people felt as if they minority, or less than others. It was interest to see how Zeitoun’s family reacted to the reports about Hurricane Katrina. Zeitoun and his family, “Lived nowhere near any levees, so they wouldn’t get any of the flash flooding that might hit some of other neighborhoods. It was East New Orleans, or the Lower Ninth, with its one-story houses so close to the levees, that were in the gravest danger” (Zeitoun 63). Learning about Hurricane Katrina in school, showed me that no matter where you were living when Katrina hit it affected you. Katrina left families dead, displaced, and mentally disturbed all over New Orleans, and people are still suffering to the day. So far I’m enjoying the book, and would recommend it to other who are interested in Hurricane Katrina.