Cross posted from the NAACP’s blog.
Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley, Ph.D., is Chairman of the NAACP International Affairs Committee.
At the NAACP, our work in the global arena sometimes elicits the following kind of question. “With all the ills in the United States, why should we be involved in the problems in those countries?” There are at least three principle reasons you should engage globally.
First, if you intend to be relevant, you have to be global. We are interconnected in economics, politics, entertainment, and the like. Every time you purchase something, you are participating in the global economy. You have a vested interest in what is happening in the world for your personal well-being.
Second, if you don’t make the world a better place “over there,” you will soon suffer the consequences “right here.” The ease of global communication and transportation makes the creep of problems around the world inevitable. Remember the Asian Flu and HIV?
Third, making this world a better place for all is the work of mature and responsible people. We are interdependent and interconnected. How can you know that a child is starving or a woman is raped or a family’s home is burned and not be moved add your voice to the call for peace and justice?
Sudan is a country where unimaginable human atrocities are continuing. Despite modest steps of progress, there are still gross displays of inhumane treatment of individuals, families, and communities. The NAACP is joining the Save Darfur Coalition to call for people who believe in peace, justice, and security to join in a global day of action on Sudan on January 9, 2010.
January 9, 2010 marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South Sudan and one year out from the referendum that will determine whether the Southern region of Sudan will separate from the North. With many highly contentious issues still to be resolved, with growing violence in the South and unresolved conflict in Darfur, there is a real risk of a return to widespread conflict that could destabilize the entire region and place civilians in grave danger.
On January 9th, groups from across the world will join together and call on their leaders to take urgent diplomatic action to prevent a return to violence in Sudan. Events are being held in Mali, Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Kenya, London, Edinburgh, Italy, Norway, New Zealand, Cairo and other places to be confirmed.
The event in Washington, DC will begin at 11 AM and feature powerful drumming, footage of celebrity drummers from around the world joining the beat, and words from Sudanese survivors and leaders in the movement for peace in Sudan.
Who: Save Darfur Coalition
What: Sudan 365: Drumming for Peace Event
When: 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 9, 2009
Where: New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (1313 New York Ave, NW; Washington, DC)
After the short program we will march to Lafayette Park, in front of the White House. Please bring a drum or other percussion instrument if you would like to join in the drumming, and a sign if you would like to join the march.
Additional events in the United States events will take place that day in:
San Francisco, CA
Congregation Emanu-El
2 Lake Street; San Francisco, CA 94118
6:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Federal Building
11000 Wilshire Blvd; Los Angeles, CA 90024
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
New York, NY
Washington Square Park
W 4th St and Waverly Pl; New York, NY 10012
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Additional U.S. events are being added. For more information, please visit the Sudan365 page on Save Darfur’s website.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
