what about darfur?

kai · #1 10-14-2006, 12:27 AM

I sense a lack of imformation on whats going on in Dharfur, oh its out there but for some reason it isnt taking centre stage.

what could/should we do about the situation?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6049094.stm

ayani · #2 10-14-2006, 08:10 AM

what would help? peace-keeping armies readily available and vigilant on the ground? peace-keeping armies (sans guns) setting up better refugee camps with medical treatment and water and food?

michel · #3 10-14-2006, 08:17 AM

I agree; but there is a heck of a lot less information about DRC (democratic Republic of the Congo).

There has been attrocious genocide there sinse 1959; it looks hopeful now that they might be able to sort themselves out.

I have noticed that the news is very 'hap-hazzard' in what it concentrates on.

kai · #4 10-14-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michel

I agree; but there is a heck of a lot less information about DRC (democratic Republic of the Congo).

There has been attrocious genocide there sinse 1959; it looks hopeful now that they might be able to sort themselves out.

I have noticed that the news is very 'hap-hazzard' in what it concentrates on.

yes you are dead right about Congo!

ayani · #5 10-14-2006, 08:26 AM

that is very true, Michel. another lunatic shooting a school, a hollywood block-buster, and the latest gwen steffani CD all get more air time than the violence and suffering in Darfur. not to mention South Africa, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Somalia, and any other nation or people suffering or struggling within Africa.

michel · #6 10-14-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracie

that is very true, Michel. another lunatic shooting a school, a hollywood block-buster, and the latest gwen steffani CD all get more air time than the violence and suffering in Darfur. not to mention South Africa, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Somalia, and any other nation or people suffering or struggling within Africa.

I sometimes wonder if we just don't want to know about such places...........

ayani · #7 10-14-2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michel

I sometimes wonder if we just don't want to know about such places...........

i think that's exactly it. it's "too painful" for "people" (as if those in Darfur are not people?) to deal with, to have to care about, learn about, or brainstorm over. the networks will go on and on about all kinds of terrible things taht go on, but somehow Africa always gets left out of the picture. the whole continent, it's like it doesn't exist in the main-stream news radar.

kai · #8 10-14-2006, 08:34 AM

do you think Africa should be helped more by the west so that in say 50 years time it doesnt end up like the middle east (as i write this i am thinking it already is)

ayani · #9 10-14-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

do you think Africa should be helped more by the west so that in say 50 years time it doesnt end up like the middle east (as i write this i am thinking it already is)

i'm torn between going in there and helping on the ground, and treating the whole continent like a little kid pity-case.

there are also many local politicians and civilians (notably women) who are working for better wages, access to healthcare, water rights, refugee rights, disarmament, women's rights, peace, and the attention of governments. i think if we care, we have a responsibility to support these folks in their work.