NBLSA International Day of Service will be on November 9, 2006

“With all the problems America has, why should we concern ourselves with problems in other countries? Why should we care about Darfur?”

In developing NBLSA’s international initiatives and programming this year, I have often been faced with these questions. To me, the answer is very simple; as human beings, we have a moral obligation to speak out when individuals are being isolated, victimized, tortured, enslaved, raped, and killed on the basis of race, regardless of where they live! As human beings, we cannot become desensitized to situations abroad because we do not face them directly. We also cannot fool ourselves into believing that we cannot help others until we solve all of our problems. We must realize that silence is complicity.

The Darfur crisis has erupted after several decades of turmoil. Since 1956, when Sudan gained independence from Britain, Sudan’s northern government and rebels in the south have been engaged in a vicious civil war over political and economic autonomy. During the 1980s, when Islamic law (Sharia) and a military government emerged in Sudan, the new leadership sought to develop race-based social institutions consistent with its interpretation of the new laws. As a result, in February 2003, black rebels from the Fur and Masalit tribes raised arms against the Sudanese government, claiming that the Darfur region had suffered years of economic, political, and social marginalization.

In Spring 2003, the northern government responded to the rebellion by engaging Arab Janjaweed militia to exterminate African civilian populations. Though it is difficult to estimate exactly how many Darfurians have been massacred, some analysts estimate the death toll is around 400,000. Furthermore, over 2.5 million have been forced from their homes in extrajudicial operations, and over 200,000 refugees have fled to neighboring Chad. A policy of systematic rape has threatened a significant percentage of Darfurian girls and women. The Sudanese government has denied access to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor and continues to block peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid to the displaced, leaving over 3 million Darfurians in danger of starvation. To make matters worst, African Union intervention forces have threatened to leave the region.

As many as 5,000 Darfurians die each month. The Darfur crisis is unique in that for the first time, the United States government has used the term “genocide” to characterize the mayhem before it has ended. Still, the international community’s response to the situation has been at best, minimal.

Knowing all of this, you may still ask, “Why should I care?” If for no other reason, it is in our best interest to promote global stability. America has a legal obligation to intervene in Darfur since it has entered into treaties and international agreements with bodies that are committed to promoting fundamental human rights. Further, as history has demonstrated, politically volatile, poverty-stricken, and criminally-controlled regions serve as breeding grounds for terrorists. When refugees are granted asylums but cannot work due to illness or because they lack education and marketable skills, the American economy is strained. The government typically spends greater amounts of money remedying these types of crises than it would have spent in prevention efforts. NBLSA, there are several reasons that we should care!

On November 9, 2006, NBSLA and the Save Darfur Coalition will invite NBLSA chapters across the world to participate in a unified day of service in honor of blacks who have fallen victim to the atrocities of the Darfur crisis. Though programs may be coordinated throughout the year, there are several ways for chapters to participate on International Day of Service:

• Work with other chapters in your area to sponsor food drives and clothing drives
• Combine International Day of Service with another Community Service Initiative, Street Law, and teach children about Darfur and humanitarianism
• Make care kits to be sent to affected areas
• Organize fundraisers, candlelight vigils, walks, banquets, or art shows displaying images from the region
• Sponsor video showings and discussions or brown bag lectures on Rwanda or Darfur
• Promote a letter-writing or postcard campaign to elected representatives compelling the U.S. government to intervene
• Encourage your university to divest financial support to the Sudanese government or companies doing business in Sudan

We ask that all chapters to wear red as a symbol of unity on November 9, 2006. Please visit the NBLSA website, www.nblsa.org, for more ways to get involved. Please also contact Pratima Narayan, International Relations Chair, at international@nblsa.org and Courtney Broussard, National Director of Community Service, at communityservice@nblsa.org by October 20, 2006, if your chapter will be participating in International Day of Service. We will be alerting the media to document chapters’ activities for a video to be shown at National Convention. We welcome any pictures that documents chapters’ activities as well.

NBLSA, we are powerful! We cannot remain silent when others have turned their backs. I believe that we will open the nation’s hearts and minds, and stir the American soul, encouraging others to take a stand, through our knowledge and action. Please join together on November 9, 2006 in honor of Darfur. **International Day of Service image produced by Nosys of Nocturnal Sunshine, http://www.nocturnalsunrise.com/.