Date: 03/13/2008
Sure, you say, you're disturbed by the killing in the Darfur region of Sudan. But what can one person in Charlotte do to try to stop it?
John Prendergast's answer: Plenty.
On Wednesday, the Darfur activist and former point man for African affairs in the Clinton administration offered a "menu" of activities during a talk at North Mecklenburg High School sponsored by Charlotte's Echo Foundation.
His proposed steps included:
• The basic: Call members of Congress -- see www.Darfurscores.org to get their records, then call 1-800-GENOCIDE to get connected to their offices or to the White House.
• The committed: Boycott companies that do business with the Sudanese government or that plan to advertise at this summer's Beijing Olympics. China is a leading trading partner with Sudan.
• The whimsical: Seek out ACC basketball stars this week, get their autographs, auction them on eBay, and donate the money to helping victims in Darfur.
Speaking to 700 students from 12 Charlotte area public and private schools, he urged them join the growing anti-genocide movement -- and recruit others to join.
Prendergast co-chairs the ENOUGH Project, but also recommended other groups: Save Darfur Coalition, student-led STAND, Amnesty International.
"We need numbers (and) smart people," said Prendergast, who co-authored "Not on Our Watch," with actor Don Cheadle. "That's why I'm here: I believe you guys are going to be instrumental in changing the world."
In five years, the conflict in Darfur has left more than 200,000 people dead and 2.5 million displaced. It started when rebels from ethnic African tribes rose up against the Arab-led central government in Khartoum. The government responded by unleashing militias of Arab nomads (called Janjaweed) that have committed systematic murder and rape.
Prendergast reported some good news on the Darfur front: the United Nations has authorized the largest peace-keeping force in its history; President Bush named a special peace envoy; and the International Criminal Court has indicted a Sudanese official and a Janjaweed militia leader for war crimes.
But he told the students they are still needed. One possibility this fall: His "Sister Schools" initiative, which will recruit U.S. schools and NBA players to raise money for students from Darfur now living in refugee camps in Chad. Prendergast wants to arrange video link-ups between schools here and there.
On Wednesday, he also inspected and applauded a "Darfur museum" in the North Meck High library. Its student creators -- Alex Nowalk and Emily Baker -- included photographs, how-to-help handouts, and a banner featuring a collage of painted hands in the shape of Africa.
Prendergast, 44, said he's been struck in his travels at how interested young Americans are in helping those half a world away.
"We have this Internet-driven, 24-hour news cycle that allows students to see in a more personal way what's going on around the world," he said. "Somehow, improbably, their consciences have been pricked in a way that leads them to want to do something about the lives of people they'll probably never meet ... It's crazy-beautiful."
