Re:Think - World In Crisis: Darfur & Myanmar
Tonight’s discussion at Re:Think focused on the topic of the genocides in Darfur and Myanmar. I don’t know why but it really affected me. I mean I’ve known about the issues in Darfur, how grave it is, and so forth. Myanmar has only recently come upon my radar but it is horribly disturbing that a government can go to such lengths to cover up their atrocities.
I don’t know what to think about my vexation but I think it has something to do with the convergence of the scriptural text from this weekend, Luke 10 - the compassionate Samaritan, and the call to seize our Samaritan opportunities.
Genocide. That’s a big word. Do I throw it around so flippantly that it means absolutely nothing to say that real, literal genocide is taking place in our world, right now while I sit doing nothing? Genocide. How many are being murdered (murdered) right now while I type that? How much evidence is being covered up? How many multi-national corporations are profiting of a corrupt Sudanese government? What will it take for me to get up and do something, anything? What should/could that “something” be?
Someone mentioned that Clinton described his biggest regret from his tenure as the failure to do something in Rwanda. Will we look back 10 years from now with regret because we’ve done nothing to save life, to stop injustice? Will we regret turning a blind eye to atrocities taking place around the world that don’t really touch us?
So what should we do?
That’s the question we ended with and no real suggestions were given.
So you tell me. What should we do? What can we do?
[More to come…]
October 16th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
[…] here’s what I’d like to do. Rather than restating everything I posted on my blog, I want to continue the discussion about what we should do as individuals and as a community of […]
October 17th, 2007 at 10:47 am
[…] and they did. Now’s YOUR chance to be a part of re:Think before it gets really cool. Jason is continuing the discussion on his blog if you want to find out what made last night so […]
October 17th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Well, I wrote to Claire McCaskill today. We’ll see if she responds.
After you guys left, Laura talked about some organizations she’s a part of. I think she said there’s gonna be a walk to raise money for organizations that help. I don’t remember any specifics though…we could get Kim to ask her.
October 18th, 2007 at 7:53 am
We do something. And by something I mean more than just discuss the issue over our grilled salmon and coconut rice or blog about it.
Is the blood of hundreds of thousands shed unjustly not on our hands as we see and know about the continuing slaughter?
As followers of Christ let us weep and fast and pray and God help us to act. I have been reminded several times throughout my days since re:think of Darfur and Myanmar. I hope it continues. I don’t just want to see and hear of these genocides and cry and hold my husband and son close. I want to move from that place to fight for the rights of these men, women, and children. I want to see the end come and come soon.
So what will I do? Start.
May we continue to be moved toward seeing a real end to these atrocities and aid in the healing and rebuilding of the lives affected.
October 18th, 2007 at 9:38 am
We need to start with awareness. While relating to people’s passion for justice we will either ultimately become powerful in number or will motivate those who already have power to act.
My practical suggestion is to form an international coalition of troops to simply surround the portions of the region that are persecuted. While they are protected, we funnel food and resources into these towns (funded by a mix of federal/private funds) while leaders enter into talks. Then an agreement should be reached. If an agreement is not reached and hostilities do not cease, we should overthrow the government and rebuild the nation, dividing it into ethnic districts.
I understand there are many problems inherent in my solution, but it is action to be taken.
October 18th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Then we rebuild with the help of benevolent organizations, people who commit to staying in Darfur for 5 years until stability is reached. In this period the gospel should be ministered and people discipled—that’s only way to bring lasting hope and peace to people
October 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Kyla’s throwin’ the smack down… I kind of feel like I should delete this post (”And by something I mean more than just discuss the issue over our grilled salmon and coconut rice or blog about it”) =)
Matt, you wanna throw up Claire’s contact info in the comments here for anyone else that would like to contact her?
October 18th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Sure. There’s a page you have to email her from:
http://mccaskill.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Also, I wanted to agree with Kyla. Let’s not be remiss by not mentioning prayer. We may with our words agree that God can do something over there when we pray over here, but we functionally disagree by not praying. What good is belief if it only exists in words?
We need to pray with urgency, like every word really is heard. I say all this because it’s something I struggle with. Part of it is being busy with my life, but honestly, what kind of an excuse is that? More functional atheism.
October 18th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Just to be clear on this - I in no way meant to point out any one person eating salmon and rice Tuesday, but to make A point. In my mind that is what we all had Tuesday around the table, myself included.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
enoughproject.org has a helpful tool in letter writing. You can send a letter to congress and the president through their site. It also gives helpful suggestions as to how to write the letter and what specific issues to include.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Oh and by the way, thanks for all your comments–you really got me thinking.
October 21st, 2007 at 8:33 am
Thanks for the link carson
December 20th, 2007 at 6:04 am
I would like to see a continuation of the topic
December 20th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Agreed. Let’s see what we can do. I’ll post something tomorrow.