Final Blog

“As World War II ended, the world beat its collective chest defiantly and proclaimed it would “never forget” the genocide of the Holocaust so that it could “never again” be repeated. The world- as history has now proven- has a short memory. The Holocaust was not the world’s first genocide and it has not been the last” (Kahn 2007, 1).

In closing I believe Darfur is an issue that we- meaning protestors, other countries/governments, organizations, the citizens of the United States, and citizens around the world- need to solve. This genocide, which began in February of 2003, has not ended. U.N. Peacekeepers are waiting to enter the region, but the Sudanese army and government which support that army will not allow them entry. Governments around the world cannot invade Sudan for many reasons discussed in Text-Based Assignment #1. China becomes a huge player in the Darfur issue. China owns 2/3 of Sudan’s oil, which they also export, and currently have soldiers stationed in Sudan protecting their oil. The Save Darfur Movement, United States government, Britain, France, Olympic Athletes, George Clooney and many more people/organizations want china to take a stand. Demand Sudan let peacekeepers into their country or else they will not export their oil. Sudan, although currently involved in war and genocide, is economically dependant on China to support their horrible economy and troops. If China would stop paying Sudan for oil and oil lands, the killings would eventually stop because they would have no way of purchasing weapons, ammunition, and food for their soldiers and citizens. This is my plan, but it could possibly backfire. I would hope China’s threat scares the Sudanese enough and they allow peacekeepers to enter. But if the Sudanese do not believe China will follow through with their threat, then China could be out of oil which would devastate their country along with Sudan. China must use their leverage in the situation because no other country or government has leverage to use.

The Olympics will be used as a protesting ground for many social issues, especially Darfur. China’s slogan for the 2008 Summer Games is “One World, One Dream”. But one world and one dream for whom, only China? Viewers tuning into see the games will wonder why so many athletes are wearing clothing items that say Darfur, Save Darfur, and/or Team Darfur. Even if protesters cannot go to China to demonstrate at the Olympics, the athletes competing at the games will be there advocating. These advocates will not be wearing clothing items that say Nike or items that represent their country. They are playing for one dream, the dream of a peaceful Darfur.

As far as the Save Darfur movement goes, I think it has been some-what successful, but will thrive in the upcoming months. The Olympics begin at the start of August; the movie Darfur Now hits theaters November 2nd, 2008; and the Presidential election is two days later on November 4th 2008. Darfur will be an issue which Barack Obama and John McCain will have to take a stand on. What are they going to do about? Publicity about Darfur will start in August with the Olympics, and continue through the September and October advertising for Darfur Now.

The only reason I think the movement has not been success is many people still do not know about Darfur. My friends, family, and even some professors had no idea what events were occurring in Darfur when I asked them. It’s sad something so horrific can be occurring and people do not even know about. The Save Darfur Movement uses celebrity ambassadors, t-shirts, website, concerts, rallies, and wristbands to get the word out. They use the same tactics as past social movements, but they have yet to gain enough momentum in order to solve the problem. From today and until the Presidential election will be the time period which determines the fate of Darfur. The Save Darfur movement must use these key days and events to inform citizens and get them involved. I cannot predict the future, but I see the fate of Darfur being positive. I think the American people, governments around the world, and China are going to realize how passionately people feel about Darfur.

Samantha Power’s states: “The U.S. policies crafted in response to each case of genocide…were not accidental products of neglect. They were concrete choices made by this country’s most influential decision makers after unspoken and explicit weighing of costs and benefits.”( Power 2002, 508). Samantha Power states the most important factor of why nations of people do not become involved with genocide: cost. The United States and the UN will be the ones left holding the bill for Darfur when all is said and done. Because these displaced people have nothing, they will not be able to pay anyone back for their efforts. China already has claimed Sudan’s oil. Nothing Sudan has to offer is of interest to the United States, any other country, or to the United Nations. Genocide and mass murders are still occurring in Darfur today. Hopefully this will be the last genocide, but the end to Darfur’s horrific struggle cannot be seen. Martin Luther King, Jr. has summed up the end result of genocide and the crisis in Darfur in one sentence: “In the end, we will remember not the works of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” (Kahn 2007,1).

Kahn, Leora. Darfur Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan. Brooklyn, NY: Powerhouse Books, 2007.

Power, Samantha. “A Problem From Hell”. New York, New York: Basic Books, 2002.