Sunday, April 6, 2008

NOT ON OUR WATCH - Don Cheadle & John Prendergast

This is the story of how actor Don Cheadle got involved with the crisis in Darfur. In the book, 6 action items are mentioned on how you help:

1) hold fundraisers

2) write your congressman

3) divest from companies participating in Sudan.

4) raise awareness

5) lobby congress

6) start an organization

In 1983, the government of Sudan turned its back on a signed treaty (the Addis Ababa agreement). As a result civil war broke out.

Oil exploitation financed the arms that the Sudan government used to terrorize its own people. They uprooted families just so it could do what it wanted with the oil. The US was forbidden to sell arms to Sudan, so they got them from other countries, including China. China actually had factories in Sudan where they built weapons.

Throughout this book one theme resonates: the politicians need to hear the constituents tell them loud and clear what we need them to do- force them to care about our issue. The “people” must propel the issue. If we get together and rally the politicians, then and only then will something be done. We the people must rally congress who can then rally the President.

If we don’t make an attempt to do something now, we are leaving this issue as an inheritance to our children, along with other similar tragedies that are to come in the future.

Below are 2 websites mentioned in the book. If you want more information, check them out.

http://www.notonourwatchbook.com/

http://www.enoughproject.org


I highly recommend this book!

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