Have you heard?, Or do you know? Options

[innovation]

Because I live near the nation's capital (aka center of politics), I believe I've acquired a distorted view of the American public. The genocide in Darfur has been a huge issue at my school this year; 4 organizations have campaigned, lobbied, and fundraised for it. Thus, I've been convinced that this issue is well-known and was shocked to find that there has not been enough public support.

Here's a brief description of the Darfur crisis, obtained from the USHMM's Committee on Conscience website:

Tens of thousands of civilians have been murdered and thousands of women raped in Sudan’s western region of Darfur by Sudanese government soldiers and members of the government-supported militia sometimes referred to as the Janjaweed. About 2 million civilians have been driven from their homes, their villages torched and their property stolen by the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed. Some of the victims have escaped to neighboring country of Chad, but most are trapped inside Darfur. Thousands die each month from the effects of inadequate food, water, health care, and shelter in a harsh desert environment. All are afraid to return home because the countryside is not safe.

The United States government has declared this humanitarian crisis a genocide but not nearly enough action has been taken. The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act was recently passed in the U.S. Senate and is now being decided upon in the House of Representatives.

PM me if you're interested in campaigning at your school (hey, always good to start something; plus, I have tons of resources) or if you want to take individual action. (Can't post anything else here-- danger of "advertising", I suppose.)

edit: It seems that people are just reading and not responding, so here are some pictures to catch your attention. (Please don't move this to pictures.)

[sadolakced acid]

mindy is as mindy does.

[innovation]

^ Hey, what is that supposed to mean...

[Mulder]

i support your efforts.

its awful whats going on over there.

i cant believe that so few people are taking it seriously.

[vash1530]

i actually idn't hear about thatt til a cuple wks ago. freakin crazy sh!t.

[sadolakced acid]

^ Hey, what is that supposed to mean...

i means this was expected, silly.

[Teesa]

Wow, I am so glad someone brought this up and I really admire you and your school for doing something about it. My family actually talks about this all the time and we always wonder why it's never on the news and so few people are aware of the genocide. It is truly sad.
Hopefully, this issue will be spread around so more people will know about it and do things to help raise awareness and action.

[*salcha*]

I am relatively familiar with this issue.
Hm, I considered going to the STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) meeting last Friday, but i had to make up a test.

Our school will be:
1) Increasing consciousness about the crisis in Darfur both in the United States and abroad.
2) Raising relief for victims and refugees.
3) Taking political actions for a swift and sustainable solution to the crisis.
4) Coordination of national and international efforts to achieve the three goals above.

We're starting fundraisers and a signing of a petition.

[innovation]

STAAAND. I was at the Georgetown STAND Conference! What's your school's name?

[*salcha*]

Milpitas High, Bay Area California

fundraising wristbands

[EddieV]

Mindy you sure give me a headache, but yes I am familiar with this, in fact we were talking about it in my Communications class last week.

[Muzik_World]

Never Heard Of It, Now I Have Tho

[misoshiru]

i'm relatively familiar of it.

it's been happening for quite a while :(

[klumzy]

never heard of it, dont really keep up with whats happening in the world... bad, i know =\

[krispy_kreme333]

I ahve never even heard of this. I dont really pay that much attention to what is going on in the rest of the world.