Review of Darfur Now (2007) by Shannon S — 17 Jan 2008

I cried. I cried over an apathetic world. The film shows the best and worst in humanity- the possibility of our care and concern to transform into a savior against travesties. It also shows the possibility of apathy and inaction to strip away everything that makes life valuable.

A world and nation, millions of people who are content to live in excess and insulated comfort with no concern or interest in the future of this planet. And Darfur IS the future. AFRICA IS the future. How long can we wipe an entire continent off of the face of the earth and still claim to be a society that upholds justice and equality?

Darfur is NOW. And its not like in WWII where we found the camps later, where we could claim we didnt know. We know... thousands of people are dying, have died and will continue to die. Is it our fault? Not directly. Is it our obligation? YES. Not as americans, citizens of the most powerful and blessed nation the world has ever known, but as human beings. As creatures of this planet, it is not only our moral duty to DO SOMETHING but it is in our own best interest.

I believe in truth and the power of humanity. I believe that freedom stands in the way of government corruption.

These people are waiting for change. Why are the waiting for so long? Why arent the media there, why dont people care. They are satisfied with the complacent life of isolated ignorance. What it takes is a shake to the system. The system that tells people its ok to buy everything in a consumer culture but not ok to preach about international politics.

I know I'm ranting here, but it is what I believe is the downfall of modern civilization, and worst of all the dissolution of ultimate humanity. People who stand idly by, doing nothing, and worst of all NOT CARING about all the nothing that is letting terror, fear, and blood run over this earth because it is not in front of their face. People who say, oh another documentary, oh another country in strife. More children with flies on their face, etc... people who say these things and then turn their attention away, ignoring the reality behind the faces, the truth in the eyes of the victims, because the reality is uncomfortable and impossible to live with when finally confronted.

Like I said, the documentary praises the human spirit. The innocence of children, the ability to recover, the ability of one dedicated person to make a difference and take a stand. It also shows the worst vice of the modern age, ultimate apathy. It shows the horrors occuring in a logical way and the horrifying ability of people to turn away.

So what can you do? What can I do? I know passion is strong after seeing a movie, and it wanes, but thats just the problem. It shouldnt. The desire for a stronger planet should course through our veins like an infectious disease, pouring into every aspect of our life until the situation is better. Not perfect, but better. We owe it to them, we owe it to ourselves. We are the educated, the privelaged, the free, the fortunate. We are the youth, we have the power to change what we see in the world and shift where it is going. and it does matter.

AFRICA matters. aids, darfur, starvation, somalia, uganda, rwanda, sierra leone. PEOPLE matter.

The time for words is ending, the time for action is here. so DO SOMETHING.

To quote Don Cheadle on what you can do, It's a whole lot more than nothing.

And to start you can see this movie.