The Reality of Darfur in Pictures

It is easy to ignore what you don't know, what you haven't seen, what you'll likely never see. For everyone reading this who will never be in Darfur, Sudan, here are a few pictures (some quite graphic) to awaken your conscience. (The pictures are thumbnails and will open full-size when clicked.)

During a scene in Hotel Rwanda, Paul - the hotel manager - sees some footage that the Western journalists have shot in the streets that shows piles of bodies and roving gangs with machetes in the streets. He is certain that once this is shown on American and European television that the powers in the West will come to the aid of the Rwandan victims of genocide. In one of the most gut-wrenching moments of truth I've ever seen on film, the cameraman replies, "I think if people see this footage, they'll say 'Oh, my God, that's horrible.' And then they'll go on eating their dinners."

If I haven't offended you yet, read on. If you want to gawk at grusome pictures and remain un-offended, quit here.

Frankly, I've come to realize that John Foster Dulles was right when he said, "America doesn't have friends. It has interests." Just as the American government had no political will to intervene in Rwanda just months after being humiliated in Somalia (see Black Hawk Down) - even though there is now incredibly strong evidence that Clinton and the Cabinet knew full well that genocide was taking place, it is highly improbable that our government will act in Darfur against the interests of China and Russia in the wake of Iraq. So what. Your hands are NOT tied. Your responsibility as a human being does not end in being frustrated with your government. Your so-called value of liberty is being dismissed. Your so-called commitment to life is being mocked. My heart aches when I see the priorities of the Church in America being demonstrated in shallow and myopic trivialities. Quit moaning that nothing is being done while ignoring your own responsibilities as a human being (and for many readers, your much higher demands as a person who claims to live in the way of Jesus). Seriously, how many more people have to be hacked to death with clubs and sticks? How many more villages have to be burned to the ground leaving refugees nothing to return to? How many more children have to starve? Either do something or quit prentending that you care. It's making me sick.

Comments

[Me]

I've gone to Save Darfur.org and given them my Visa number. I do care. I did something about it. Will you please calm down now? You can't handle this type of stress with your heart problem and all! ;)

[Keith]

Steve
Thanks for this. I have linked to you on my latest posting.

[Sandra]

Wow, Steve. Thanks for posting this. I will definitely mention your post in my blog today.

[eluzai]

i am in the midst of making a song and video about darfur. i am fasting and praying and i hope that all WE are doing will help these people, our brothers, our sisters, our aunts, our uncles.

[kandi]

i think this is not good.We need to get it to stop.

[Laura Smith and Claire MacDonald]

i hate the pictures

[Leanna]

This is ridiculous. how can people just sit back and watch this happen. we need to stand as a nation and stop this. All of this is just insane.