School's out on break. The kids are home and high on sugar. My house is decorated in the spirit of Christmas, but I am just not feeling it. I sang-no spirit. I went to church- nothing. I went to party after party- no spirit. I gave- still no spirit. I am not depressed, so where is my Christmas spirit?
It is here and it is better than ever. You do not have to be happy all the time to have spirit. My spirit is content feeling all emotions. And right now, it feels sorrow. It feels for the people of Darfur and mourns for them. It appreciates the things most americans take for granted. Safety, freedom, a government that works (sometimes), and basic necessities. I think about Darfur constantly. My prayers are for them. My spirit is about them.
Today' s pill popping society says if you are sad you are depressed. When I am sad, it is my response to a sad situation. That sadness triggers me to act out and help. Why would I want to change that? I love it that I can feel. I thank you God that I have the ability to feel.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
If not for the people, then for science.
Impoverished nations and people often lack the resources to prevent and limit disease. Basic hygiene, clean water, sewage sanitation, and pest control all aid in abating the spread of disease. The lacking of such basic preventatives provides ample breeding grounds for microbes. Addressing economic and social factors that affect the utilization of preventatives is vital in disease control.
No where in the world today is the spread of disease as great as in Africa. A crisis effecting two particular countries in Africa has become my life’s passion. The ongoing genocide inflicted by the government of Sudan (and its proxy army the janjaweed), onto the people of Darfur, Sudan; is causing horrendous physical, emotional, and biological devastation. This conflict has spilled over into Sudan’s neighboring country, Chad. The nation of Chad is taking in some of the 2.5 million refugees who have fled Sudan. The overcrowding has taken a toll on Chad’s natural resources as well as escalating the spread of disease. The shortage of water is causing it to be severely limited. Water is often only available for drinking and not washing. This lack of basic hygiene is fueling diseases which in turn run rampant in IDP camps (Internationally Displaced Persons camps).
The inability to properly treat sewage along with the absence of medical resources is furthering the spread of diseases such as Cholera, measles, malaria, meningitis, Hepatitis E, polio, and even Ebola.Tougher problems have emerged that raise grave concern. The primary problem (aside from the butchering of innocent civilians), is the janjaweed’s use of rape as a weapon of war. Pregnancy, HIV, STD’s, and “branding” are among some of the problems the victims of rape face. The spread of HIV and STD’s is particularly worrisome due to the lack of medical resources. This spreading of disease is further perpetuated if the rape survivors become pregnant and thereby give such diseases to their child. This creates another generation afflicted by disease. If this cycle does not stop now, the consequences will be dire.
Calling on the International community to act (without U.S. troops) on behalf of the 400,000 Darfurians already killed and the 2.5 million displaced from their homes is the only solution to this problem as it stands now. Calling on countries like China and Russia to stop the export of arms and war planes is a must. Asking congress to pass a bill calling for the divestment of all Sudanese oil investments is another course of action. I send local and national news agencies information urging them to address the issues of Darfur. I contribute to two blogs in an effort to raise awareness and organize activists. Constantly I am writing letters, sending e-mails, and placing phone calls to our elected officials regarding action in Darfur. I have taken it upon myself to find video with Creative Commons Copyrights and getting them aired on many public television stations.
In October, our local Amnesty International group held a rally for Darfur in Bronson Park. I brought along with me my husband and three young children. While at the rally, I felt disheartened because only 50 people attended. I perceived at as a HUGE waste of my precious time. Why did I come? About that time, my three children began to squeal in the middle of a speech. As I turned to “shush” them, I realized why I was there. A beautifully soulful Darfurian child was playing with my children. He was running, twirling, and laughing with a smile as big as could be. Oh how this contrasted with the pictures of all the children still in Darfur. He was what those children should be.
At the rally I made a few good contacts and heard first hand the horrors of Darfur. I couldn’t help but feel a sickening knot in my stomach when I heard they had to leave some family behind. I was suddenly grateful for that dysfunctional group of people I grew up with. All of the “tragic” causalities of my life didn’t seem so tragic anymore.
Upon leaving the rally I again felt irritated and confused. Where was everyone? Don’t people follow the news? Then I realized; they did. Where was the media on this? I was livid with the local media because they would not and did not cover the event prior to or during the event. I was further irritated by the plethora of coverage on Tom Cruise. There is no rationale for all of the gossip that besieges our airwaves, print, and television. Even John Peter Zenger would be appalled. My heart could not understand how the death of 400,000 people could be trumped by baby Suri. I promptly put fingers to keys and e-mailed the editor of the Gazette. Imagine my surprise when I actually got a response the next morning. The response wasn’t much, but it came with a promise. When the next event for Darfur comes to fruition, it will receive coverage by the Gazette. This is encouraging because currently I, along with 27 others am planning to meet in Grand Rapids to organize an event for Darfur. I only hope the editor keeps the promise made.
As for myself, I will continue to work on behalf of the 2.5 million displaced persons and the countless others who have been so savagely brutalized by the janjaweed.
No where in the world today is the spread of disease as great as in Africa. A crisis effecting two particular countries in Africa has become my life’s passion. The ongoing genocide inflicted by the government of Sudan (and its proxy army the janjaweed), onto the people of Darfur, Sudan; is causing horrendous physical, emotional, and biological devastation. This conflict has spilled over into Sudan’s neighboring country, Chad. The nation of Chad is taking in some of the 2.5 million refugees who have fled Sudan. The overcrowding has taken a toll on Chad’s natural resources as well as escalating the spread of disease. The shortage of water is causing it to be severely limited. Water is often only available for drinking and not washing. This lack of basic hygiene is fueling diseases which in turn run rampant in IDP camps (Internationally Displaced Persons camps).
The inability to properly treat sewage along with the absence of medical resources is furthering the spread of diseases such as Cholera, measles, malaria, meningitis, Hepatitis E, polio, and even Ebola.Tougher problems have emerged that raise grave concern. The primary problem (aside from the butchering of innocent civilians), is the janjaweed’s use of rape as a weapon of war. Pregnancy, HIV, STD’s, and “branding” are among some of the problems the victims of rape face. The spread of HIV and STD’s is particularly worrisome due to the lack of medical resources. This spreading of disease is further perpetuated if the rape survivors become pregnant and thereby give such diseases to their child. This creates another generation afflicted by disease. If this cycle does not stop now, the consequences will be dire.
Calling on the International community to act (without U.S. troops) on behalf of the 400,000 Darfurians already killed and the 2.5 million displaced from their homes is the only solution to this problem as it stands now. Calling on countries like China and Russia to stop the export of arms and war planes is a must. Asking congress to pass a bill calling for the divestment of all Sudanese oil investments is another course of action. I send local and national news agencies information urging them to address the issues of Darfur. I contribute to two blogs in an effort to raise awareness and organize activists. Constantly I am writing letters, sending e-mails, and placing phone calls to our elected officials regarding action in Darfur. I have taken it upon myself to find video with Creative Commons Copyrights and getting them aired on many public television stations.
In October, our local Amnesty International group held a rally for Darfur in Bronson Park. I brought along with me my husband and three young children. While at the rally, I felt disheartened because only 50 people attended. I perceived at as a HUGE waste of my precious time. Why did I come? About that time, my three children began to squeal in the middle of a speech. As I turned to “shush” them, I realized why I was there. A beautifully soulful Darfurian child was playing with my children. He was running, twirling, and laughing with a smile as big as could be. Oh how this contrasted with the pictures of all the children still in Darfur. He was what those children should be.
At the rally I made a few good contacts and heard first hand the horrors of Darfur. I couldn’t help but feel a sickening knot in my stomach when I heard they had to leave some family behind. I was suddenly grateful for that dysfunctional group of people I grew up with. All of the “tragic” causalities of my life didn’t seem so tragic anymore.
Upon leaving the rally I again felt irritated and confused. Where was everyone? Don’t people follow the news? Then I realized; they did. Where was the media on this? I was livid with the local media because they would not and did not cover the event prior to or during the event. I was further irritated by the plethora of coverage on Tom Cruise. There is no rationale for all of the gossip that besieges our airwaves, print, and television. Even John Peter Zenger would be appalled. My heart could not understand how the death of 400,000 people could be trumped by baby Suri. I promptly put fingers to keys and e-mailed the editor of the Gazette. Imagine my surprise when I actually got a response the next morning. The response wasn’t much, but it came with a promise. When the next event for Darfur comes to fruition, it will receive coverage by the Gazette. This is encouraging because currently I, along with 27 others am planning to meet in Grand Rapids to organize an event for Darfur. I only hope the editor keeps the promise made.
As for myself, I will continue to work on behalf of the 2.5 million displaced persons and the countless others who have been so savagely brutalized by the janjaweed.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Back in the Game
I am so very excited.We are starting a group based in Grand Rapids, MI. For those of you who want to join, click on the link:
SaveDarfurGrandRapids@groups.savedarfur.org
Thank you to all who are participating. I know that we can make a HUGE impact together. We can help the beautiful people of Darfur.
SaveDarfurGrandRapids@groups.savedarfur.org
Thank you to all who are participating. I know that we can make a HUGE impact together. We can help the beautiful people of Darfur.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Fatigue is setting in
I am tired. I am exhausted. I feel hopeless. I am going to bed. I might feel better tomorrow. I hope the Darfurians make it until then.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Kudos to you dad
Not very often, if ever, do I thank my father. So this is serious. He has played a video I gave him of Darfur at his tv station. He has also shown it to his fraternity, and they are dedicating prayers for Darfur. For this I am greatful. I am very grateful. Now if only I can get my mits on a copy of Darfur diaries. Hint, hint. I watched those guys on C-span and they did great. I was bummed to hear Amnesty not label it a genocide. I wish someone would take the bull by the horns and just call it what it is. Even Bush used the G word and he's a moron. ( Here come the secret service and the extremists!) I loved Jen Marlowe's point- If you are splitting hairs on labeling something as genocide, enough is enough, it is BAD. I love how the world waits for a label. Are there no leaders and free spirits anymore? When did we become a nation of followers?
Excuse me, I gotta go, the pied piper is playing.
Excuse me, I gotta go, the pied piper is playing.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Insight from the 10 year olds perspective
As I am a not an advocate for war, I see the point of the child. Here we have a massive injury, yet we pick open wounds that will not heal. Iraq should not have been. We all know that. It does not mean I do not support our troops. On the contrary, I support them so much that I only want them to have to put their life on the line for extreme causes. Argue all you must, but Iraq did not, and will never, fall into that category. I truly believe that at this point in time some sort of military intervention is necessary in Darfur. Not by US forces! You can count the reasons on your hands and toes. I am for divestment first and foremost. Three years and the US hasn't divested. Hmm. I suppose money is worth more than a human life these days. Remember when it wasn't. I wonder what the greatest generation has to say about this?
Darfur: from a ten-year-olds perspective
I think we should bring our troops back from Iraq and send them into Sudan, so they can stop the Sudanese government from killing. Why do we need them in Iraq, anyway? I think that if we're going to send troops into Iraq, it should be after we make sure the countries that have the most killing and slavery are dealt with.
Friday, December 01, 2006
World AIDS Day
Do you think the janjaweed will stop raping today? I wonder if the janjaweed's many wives appreciate the fact that their husbands are raping and spreading disease as well as making babies? That's a lot to ponder. The aids population in Africa grows everyday. Each day 5,500 people die of AIDs in Africa. What can we do to help? I am positive that stopping rapes will help.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
