So I was in a chat room today – a Christian chat room mind you – and I was in my “Save Darfur – stop the genocide” mode so I just started a discussion about genocide and what we could do to help. I’m thinking that if any chat room is going to be receptive to the message and willing to help the cause then it would be the Christian room.
I had already tried it the Black and African American room and, not surprisingly, they didn’t seem to care about their brothers and sisters in Africa. It’s been my experience that White Americans are more active & aggressive in advocacy efforts for Darfur than Black Americans. The whole “we must be connected to our roots in Africa like American Jews are connected to Israel” just didn’t work.
So I went the religious route. But to my dismay, the Christian room wasn’t trying to hear it either! Are you serious?! One guy named Henry actually tried to slam me for spreading the word. He said something like “why should we try to help people half way around the world when there are problems going on in our own backyard. Charity begins at home.”
Typical American.
So to all the Henry’s of the world I say – YES! Charity does begin at home, but it doesn’t have to end at home.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “In a real sense, all life is interrelated. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
So to those Believers….or just good-hearted Human Beings out there who want to help the people of Darfur in some way; visit: www.savedarfur.org
For those who need a little more encouragement, I have posted a list of just THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP STOP THE VIOLENCE AND DEATH IN DARFUR.
1. Read about what’s going on in Darfur. You won’t find much on television, but the internet is great. There is even a bloc by a human aid worker in Darfur (www.sleeplessinsudan.blogspot.com)
2. Tell somebody about what you read about what is going on in Darfur. Tell a family member – a coworker – your neighbor – your religious leader – TELL SOMEBODY
3. Visit www.africaaction.org to sign your name to a petition that will be delivered to President Bush asking for greater aid and stronger UN intervention.
IF YOU DO JUST ONE OF THESE THINGS GUESS WHAT?! – YOU ARE AN ADVOCATE FOR DARFUR! Congratulations.
Ok…So what are you waiting for….Let’s get to work – WE CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Heber
I just talked to a church college group this past weekend about the genocide in Darfur. I think I was facing apathy and helplessness. I’m not sure, no one talked to me afterward.
To Henry who said charity begins at home, I say if he’s taking care of orphans and widows, visiting those in prison, and giving a cup of water in Jesus name in his homtown, then God be praised for the work Henry is doing.
But there are others who are not, who may be more inclined to help murder “halfway around the world.”
The other thing I’ve had to answer is people’s feelings of helplessness. Does wearing a wristband and writing your Congressman really help? I do believe there is tipping point when one more person will make the difference and it could be you. Also, the work we do for the Lord will not be vain, it’s a drop in the bucket maybe, but it counts for something.
I agree wholeheartedly. Our drops in the bucket do count and when we get enough “drops” eventually we’ll have a powerful waterfall of advocacy for Darfur.
Be encouraged concering your speaking engagements on Genocide in Darfur. American Apathy is everywhere – a dangerous disease, however, your activities will “awaken” those who are needed for this work.
By the way check out this blog – http://www.hungerstrikefordarfur.blogspot.com
Thanks for posting,
Heber
I agree with you, and it’s frustrating that even African Americans don’t seem enthusiastic to help. I AM African American, so it pisses me off even more! I can’t understand it, it’s like no one cares. Even the African Union turns a blind eye. Can you believe that I went into an African American chat room to discuss the Darfur situation, and one of them made a comment that we shouldn’t be concerned, because even if we do save these Darfurian refugees, they’ll just end up being a waste. He felt that, “Just like ALL Africansâ€, they’ll be wanting hand outs, and end up costing the world millions in charity and humanitarian assistance, so it’s better to let them dieâ€. He felt like none of them have ever contributed anything to the progress of humankind, so why bother? They’ve out stayed their welcome. I can’t understand how some people can be so cold.
I’ve posted and initiated blogs, signed petitions, written to our American president, alerted nearly ALL my fellow graduate student classmates, and co workers. I feel so discouraged, and so helpless. Those are my people over there, being slaughtered like cattle, and there is little or nothing I can do. I also feel like turning a blind eye causes us to lose some of our own humanity. You’ve got to be pretty cruel to sit by, allow this to occur, and not feel anything, regardless of race. Thanks for your post!
-Amy in San Diego
Dear Heber,
I totally agree with you that we need to raise awareness and stop this genocide. I can’t believe that its still happening. But please do not generalize and judge all Christians the same. You posted this in 2005. Maybe at that time the ‘Henry’ you spoke to didn’t think it was a serious issue and maybe he felt so overwhelmed that he responded that way. But Christians are well aware of the situation and we are helping. Check this out
http://www.ag.org/top/News/index_articledetail.cfm?Process=DisplayArticle&targetBay=ea7fb5b4-34e2-4cd7-99a1-b7ce6556476b&ModID=2&RSS_RSSContentID=6785&RSS_OriginatingChannelID=1184&RSS_OriginatingRSSFeedID=3359&RSS_Source=search
God Bless You.
Hi Pani,
I’m unsure of where I generalized and judged ALL Christians on this issue. I was talking about a very specific chat room on a specific day and highlighted a specific person. Lord knows, I am well aware that there are many Believers who are active on this front. This post – written 3 years ago as you observed – was written in a moment of frustration and at a time when the whole “we’ve got to do something for Darfur” feeling wasn’t as prominent in America’s churches.
Thank God for change. Thank you for the link to the very encouraging article. A preach-a-thon…now that’s different…
Thanks for your comment.
P.S. – perhaps you’d be interested to read some of my other posts on Darfur as well. Just search for “Darfur” on my site. (Search bar in the top right corner)
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