My favorite blog post from this year is everything that is about Darfur. Prior to the “Darfur Blog” I knew a little about the conflict in Darfur but very little because the news broadcast do not say anything about it. The blog posts in class have really expanded our horizon during class, this is the 21st century so using the technology that we have is so different from all the classes that I have. It’s also really cool that we get feedback from not only our teachers, but also people all over the world.

Frederick Douglass was an  abolitionist, human rights ans women’s rights activist, orator, author, journalist, publisher, and social reformer. He also was an advisor to President Abraham Lincoln (who refered to him as the most meritorious man of the nineteenth century). During Rutherford B. Hayes administration, he served as the US marshal of DC, and was appointed DC’s recorder of deeds by President James Garfield. 1889 came around, and President Benjamin Harrison appointed him US minister to Haiti, and finally President Grand appointed him to serve as the secretary of commission of Santo Domingo. He hoped that other African Americans would follow in his foodsteps in the future.

All of this started at a very young age, when he realized his ability o read wuld be the key to freedom for all slaves. He later setteled in New Bedor, Massachusetts with his wife Anna Murray Douglass, then joined the abolitionist movement.

Mr. Douglass also worked with may other famous abolitionists of the 19th century, like; Wendell Phillips and Abby Kelley. Mr. Douglass also created his own newspaper, the North Star, and that soon became a very popular newspaper. He later recruited black Union soldiers for the African American 54th Massachusetts Volunteer, and both his sons served in this regiment and combat.  His final years were spent opposing lynching ans supporting the rights of women, he showed his support for women’s rights by participating in the 1st feminist convention at Seneca Falls in July of 1848.

After many accomplishments, Mr. Douglass died in February 1895 leaving behind a tremendous mark on all.

Thanks Ben and Alex from Blair! I hope that SSIMS students can meet some more people from your Darfur group at Blair, and learn some more things that you guys know.

 The Janjaweed is a group started by the government and is still funded and equipted by them, with the help of China. There is an estimation of 200 million refugees fleeing to refugee camps in Darfur and in near by Chad, 200 thousand are dead, and too many raped to count. The Janjaweed, in Arabic means men on horseback with guns, goes to villagers who come from slightly different decendents. The Janjaweed are Arab decendents so they are slightly lighter skinned then the African decendents. The Janjaweed come into the villages on helicopters first, then on horseback and trucks, killing men and boys, raping women and girls. China has a large population in Darfur because Darfur is their main oil source, but the bad thing about the Chinese and Darfur connection is that the Chinese government is supplying the Janjaweed with military equiptment. This is a very big problem, but we have a lot of business in China that we aren’t risking the business to save the people in Darfur. Is that right though? Thousands are seeking refugee in Chad for a better life, but because thousands are moving there, there is limited space and food. Is our business with China worth saving hundreds of dollars, when hundreds of thousands are dying in Darfur. And what about the Olympics this year in China? They are working so hard to impress the world, to show that their country is beginning to thrive, but their connection with Darfur will not be forgotten in some minds. We can use this to talk to the Chinese, but will we? Should we? It’s up to how much people do, and want to do.

You are invited to: an International Blog for Darfur

This is your personal invite to participate in a 24 hour blog for Darfur on International Darfur Awareness Day. Please come a post a comment on this website: manyvoicesfordarfur.blogspot.com   

We are getting students, teachers, and other individuals from all over the world to participate in this very special day. It could make a difference for the people in Darfur, if people in the US see that these are students that believe that something should be done about the first genocide in the 21st century. This is a very important issue, and many people don’t really pay attention to it because the news isn’t really broadcasting anything. Also, many people that do know about it, don’t really think that it is their responsibility to do something. This genocide has been going on since 2003, as soon as their last civil war ended. That’s 2003, five years ago, and nothing has been done officially! Another reason, US citizens don’t want to interfer because they think that it could turn into another Vietnam or Iraq war, but it also interfers with the Chinese government. As we all know, the Chinese play a very important role in the US economy. We don’t want to risk ruining anything with them, but is our economy worth saving if we could be saving lives?

*Important note: Since 2004, there have been 6,000 a month. There is an estimate of 200 million refugee, and there are too many raped to count.