The West Georgian

Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Opinion

We each have an identity and most often than not we would define ourselves by the place we were either born in or currently reside. I for example would say that I am an Indian, and that I study in America now. My individuality is also defined by the fact that India is a country on this Earth. This makes me a citizen of the world and I am proud of this heritage. Being a world citizen is more than just being born; you have certain responsibilities towards your fellow citizens. Love for all humanity is just one of those responsibilities that I have learnt to accept and follow.

When a family member, a neighbor or a friend is in distress we try to ease their agony and help them in every way possible. This is human nature and it comes naturally to us even though we may not be the source of that pain. So as a citizen of this world why do we ignore the cries of people who live away from us? I am referring specifically to the victims of genocide, people in war torn Darfur where thousands of people including women and children are being tortured and slaughtered. It is pitiful to see that the international community is doing very little to save Darfur.

Everyone in the region is suffering the wrath of man. Loved ones, neighbors, and friends have become enemies and have taken to killing one another. There is very little protection for the lives of Darfurians. Widespread rape and killings have left many families in a severe state of turmoil and many children orphaned. But why should you care? It is not like you or your loved ones are being subjected to such heinous treatment. You could also leave this to the UN, the international community and the government of Darfur to deal with this. It is not your problem. You have way too many problems of your own to get into something that does not affect you. And anyways there is not much that you can do. This is completely understandable. But do not underestimate your contribution to the efforts to help secure peace for the region. Do not assume that there is nothing you can do to brighten a victim's future. For, if you do not stand today, it will be too late tomorrow. I would like to share reasons that will help you realize that the events around the globe do and will affect you and there is so much you can do to get engaged.

You are studying at West Georgia but someday you may go to work for a multinational company that has several branches around the globe, and one of them may just be Darfur. Would you still say that you do not care? You may have friends from Sudan, or better even a Sudanese boss or client. How would you then avoid the global link? In this recent age of globalization it is impossible to turn a deaf ear to global events. The youth of today are leaders tomorrow. In fact many students have in the past or are currently serving as student leaders. I call these leaders to get their team members to join the fight against genocide. I urge parents, faculty and staff to educate their children about respecting and embracing the value of diversity in their lives. Let us all serve as role models for those who look up to us and let us all walk towards ending the violence and influence of hate. Let us mean it when we utter "Never Again."

Continued...

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