Over the past four weeks, I have been working with the Lane County Darfur Coalition to plan events around the Olympic Trials in Eugene. In hopes of inviting Darfur groups from around the nation to the U.S. Olympic Trials, LCDC is busy with proposals, organization and plans.
We have found it to be incredibly difficult to create awareness when the general public does not understand what the term “genocide” means. Others are not knowledgeable about the crisis in Darfur. In addition, the public does not understand the connection with China and Sudan. And then, people can’t grasp the parallel of the Beijing Olympics to the Nazi Berlin Olympics of 1936.
It has become a PR challenge. The mission is to create awareness of China’s involvement in Sudan surrounding the Olympic Trials. LCDC realizes that this may be the last chance to have an impact on the crisis in Darfur. LCDC does not want to be seen as the radical activists on the other side of fence.
How do we create a positive message when the circumstances are incredibly horrific in Darfur? The stories are not pretty. People are suffering and dying. Each day, the people of Darfur fight to stay alive without the proper health care, food or water. It will continue unless China allows the U.N. to deploy peacekeepers in Sudan. China also needs to pull out economically from Sudan and stop suppling military weapons. The issue is complicated, yet at the same time I find it simple. It’s a humanitarian issue. People are dieing for reasons of greed and power. How far have we come from the Holocaust? It is 2008, and genocide still continues.
LCDC has created a campaign, “Bring the Olympic Dream to Darfur,” to place a positive spin on this deadly issue. It will be necessary to educate the 200,000 spectators and sports fans of the large influence China has in Sudan. LCDC will create easy ways for people to help, including writing to government officials and Olympic sponsors, signing a petition, and wearing a wrist band or t-shirt to show support.
LCDC wants to use this opportunity to spread awareness by sending a positive message about the chance China has to be the change.
If only China could hear the words of Gandhi; “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
It is a difficult lesson to learn, but keeping the dream alive is hard.
Take a look at LCDC’s website to learn about upcoming events http://lcdarfurcoalition.org
Photo was taken Jan. 20, 1986. Photo can be found at http://www.mlkonline.net
