Thanksgiving in Darfur

So, how did it go? Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes; family, fun, vacation; rape, murder, genocide. What a minute! What is this, one of those one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-others? Yes – on steroids.

Now that you are mopping up Thanksgiving with turkey sandwiches and dressing reheats, you have the chance to ponder on some other people’s experiences this weekend. I know the timing this article might smack of a guilt inducing tactic right on the heels of our grateful gluttony, but I want you to separate our American privilege which is Thanksgiving and what I want to address today. In other words, read without guilt so your compassion can emerge.

I have Darfur on the brain right now. Darfur? No, it’s not the name of the latest supermodel and it is not a disease I’ve contracted. Rather, it is the western region of the nation of Sudan in Africa. It’s the size of Texas. This is the place that experiences rape, murder, and genocide. It is happening right now - today. Warring factions, weak government, scarce resources, religious zealots, massive corruption, and abject poverty within a power vacuum creates a situation in which the value of life diminishes lower than that of a commodity. At best life is a thing, an object, or a property in Darfur. But mostly it’s just a problem. People are disposable in Darfur.

Women who gather sticks for fire wood travel in packs so that they won’t all get raped. Children starve as their desperate need for food is rarely ever met. Men feel powerless as there are no jobs and they are constantly recruited to fight nefarious battles they do not believe in or care about. Everyone is at extreme risk for disease. A half million people are dead in the genocide. Another 2 million have been chased out of their homes and now live in refugee camps, which are by no means a refuge from any danger.

There is little to be thankful for in Darfur. If there is a Hell on earth, it is Darfur.

While we Americans are concerned about gaining that holiday weight, refugees in Darfur hope that warlords won’t chase away the relief workers or loot food aid as it trickles into their camp. Again, remove the temptation to feel guilty and just notice the contrast. We are grateful and we should be. Over the course of American history, millions of men and women, most of whom we’ll never know of, have made enormous, sometimes ultimate, sacrifices for the generations to come – for us. We live in a country of plenty and abundance. We have justice and freedom. In America, there is so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is a good time to express that gratitude without shame.

At the same time, gratitude is only one side of the coin of good character in the presence of great wealth. The other side of the good character coin is generosity.

While we are appropriately expressing our appreciation for what we have, let’s consider those that have nothing. Not only do those who live (or should I say “exist”) in Darfur have no possessions, they have no security, justice, peace, hope, or liberty. Let’s show our character by being not only grateful, but generous as well.

How? I’m glad you asked, my friend. This will get you started. First, check out one of these websites and learn about the problem: www.savedarfur.org or www.worldvision.org. Second, of the many ways these organizations offer to help, pick one and do it. Third, ask your senator to fill you in on what the United States government is doing. Then let him or her know how much it matters to you. If you get this far and need to know what to do next, e-mail me and we’ll figure something out.

Those that came before us gave us something to be thankful for. Let’s give Darfur something to be thankful for. Find a way to give.