Do you consider the incident in Darfur a genocide, or just tribal warfare? Personally, I believe it is a genocide that is not being recognized by the UN and many members of the international community because of their reluctance to act. I really think this will be another Rwandan Genocide unless someone intervenes soon.
Where was this protest? I'm part of a student organization in my University where we try to raise awareness about what is happening in Darfur. The surprising thing is that we conducted a survey, and over 50% of those surveyed didn't even know where Darfur was, let alone know what was happening there! I honestly believe the only way the international community will intervene is if enough awareness is raised amongst the general public, and having citizens in each nation to demand action from their respective governments.
It was at my University. We also try to let people on campus know about what's going on in Darfur, and also Uganda. The majority, of course, has no idea what's going on, and those who do just say, "well, how much would you like me to donate?" Yeah, money's good and all, but you can't just throw money at a problem and hope it goes away. That's like putting a band-aid on a tumor.
No, but of course the donation of money will help if the cause if you are not willing to personally get involved. At school, we promote an organization (http://www.darfurgenocide.org/) which seeks to raise awareness through the funds generated. So far, we've contributed over $3000 in under a month, and we are constantly gaining new members who petition to both individuals and businesses for donations.
I think that the UN should step in, in a situation like this. You have people being slaughtered and they're just standing there and watching. If the UN provides them with Peace Keepers it will save a lot of innocent lives.
Yep, but unfortunately the UN does not recognize what is happening in Darfur as an official "genocide," so they are not obligated to step in. The only way to force these international institutions and community to intervene is for citizens to be more aware and demand it.
Darfur is a genocide, it always has been. I just think that we don't care about it as much because there is no resources to be gotten from Darfur. That is the real reason. We, the US, are in Iraq for the sole reason of oil, which there is none of in Darfur. Anyway, it is horrible what the Janjaweed are doing.
That's not entirely true. Sudan has massive oil reserves, I believe they pump out over 350,000 barrels a day in terms of export. Although I do believe the US is in Iraq for self-enlightened interests, there are still various factors that we have to consider--not just oil.