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Please leave questions for SAND AND SORROW expert John Prendergast, and check the SAND AND SORROW website for John's answers. (NOTE: Not all questions posted will be answered.)
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Posts:
1
Registered:
1/6/08
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(32 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Jan 6, 2008 3:44 PM
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Hi John,
First of all, thank you for the wonderful work that you're doing; you are a true champion! I am almost ashamed to say that I have been oblivious to the crisis in Darfur--thanks for enlightening me. So often we ask, "What can one person like me do?" And we do nothing. So I'm asking, what can one elementary school teacher in south Georgia do to help? Thank you for your reply. Keep up the good work.
Robin
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/21/07
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(31 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 21, 2007 11:43 AM
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You can read about the Sudan/China connection at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darfur/themes/china.html
It really opened my eyes
> John, I am so confused about China. I've never been
> to Suday, but I spent some time in Ethiopia on a
> medical mission in 2006. The Chinese are building
> roads and drilling for oil all over Ethiopia too. We
> were saddened to see so many impoverished, unemployed
> Ethiopian people EVERYWHERE, while the Chinese
> companies seem to employ only their own nationals to
> exploit the resources of this country. It seems
> China is doing the same thing across the continent.
> My questions are: Do you think China's relationship
> p with Sudan is at the heart of the lack of action by
> the UN, our country, and other wealthy countries in
> Darfur?
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/21/07
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(30 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 21, 2007 9:48 AM
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John, I am so confused about China. I've never been to Suday, but I spent some time in Ethiopia on a medical mission in 2006. The Chinese are building roads and drilling for oil all over Ethiopia too. We were saddened to see so many impoverished, unemployed Ethiopian people EVERYWHERE, while the Chinese companies seem to employ only their own nationals to exploit the resources of this country. It seems China is doing the same thing across the continent. My questions are: Do you think China's relationship with Sudan is at the heart of the lack of action by the UN, our country, and other wealthy countries in Darfur? What would be the most effective action our government could take to pressure China to do the right thing?
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/20/07
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(29 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 20, 2007 4:10 PM
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First of all, I would like to thank you and everyone who aided in the making of Sand and Sorrow. It has been an eye opener to many of us who did not know what was happening in Darfur, Sudan.
I want to take action and contact as many people that I can while Sand and Sorrow is being aired on HBO. I've sent letters to all the high schools and middle schools in the county, I included information about the documentary in all of my Christmas cards, and I hope to send letters to as many churches in the city as I can while the documentary is still airing.
After this documentary airs, where will people be able to attain more information?
I contacted SaveDarfur.org and they sent me a letter format to send to the white house. I filled it out and sent it and forwarded that information to other e-mail addresses I had on file.
However, I want to know if the organizations like SaveDarfur.org are also spreading the word about the documentary to larger organizations like churches, etc. Seeing the documentary is believing what is happening in Darfur, Sudan. I tried to send a letter to SaveDarfur.org, but I have not been answered.
Is there a place to brainstorm with other people to gather ideas and implement them?
I want to do more, who can I contact?
What kind of events would attract local news stations?
If the local news stations broadcasted the event, maybe they would do some research into Darfur too.
I just want to do as much as I can.
Thank you again for showing the documentary.
Sincerely,
Cathy Woodson
Charlotte, NC
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/18/07
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(28 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 18, 2007 9:54 AM
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John, I have been following any & everything I can on Darfur for the past three years. As so many others have said here - - we do so little because we can't figure out what would be most effective. Every time I read of our country's promises made to intervene I felt hope, every time I heard of ceasefires I felt hope - but nothing ever comes of these. I'm frustrated for lack of doing anything, but more so, for the time that has gone by for these poor people who are suffering endlessly. For those of you who are constantly fighting for them I can't even begin to imagine your frustration. PLEASE tell us what are the most effective things that we can do to help - Is it boycotting the Olympics in China? Is it sending money to Darfur?
Wearing a green rubber bracelet or putting a sign on the lawn doesn't really seem do much to help - it only shows a few people where you as an individual stand. Beyond writing political figures, or donating money to charities what is something we can do that will be the most effective?
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/12/07
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(27 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 12, 2007 12:53 AM
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What is the root of the problem in Darfur? Why are people's lifes at stake? How is the Sudanese government not implementing action for its people? What kind of answer are we looking for from our government? Is it money and food? I don't think fences will stop people from dying. Should US troops be ordered to overthrow the Sudanese government? What is the "best" and most logical solution to appropriately solve the issues there? Please help me understand. I have looked at many Darfur websites. I want to be understand, so I can publicly inform those around me.
After listening to a few Presidential candidates responses, it seems that Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, has the most logical solution. Do you agree with troops entering Sudan?
If there was complete divestment from Sudan, would those actions completely wipe out the on-going genocide.
If so, please give us the entire list of corporations and national entities investing in Sudan. I am sure everyone interested can write a letter or phone these investors. We are all urgent to hear your response.
And thank you for all your hard work. Keep it going!
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Posts:
4
Registered:
7/20/07
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(26 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 11, 2007 4:50 PM
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Are the people in Sudan completely oblvious of what's happening in Durfur? Has the government blocked all the news information in the country so their people do not know what is happening in region of Durfur?
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/11/07
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(25 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 11, 2007 10:54 AM
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Thank you John and HBO and everyone involved in this project. The preview looks chillingly realistic.
I work for a humanitarian org in Darfur, so unfortunately we have no way to see the finished product. (Actually we see the "finished product" every day in real life.)
Does HBO have plans to market it on itunes anytime soon?
Is there any other way we can get some DVDs? Perhaps sent to our headquarters in the states and hand carried over when our staff come through?
I don't trust DHL....
Anyway, if you guys could let us know how to get a hold of a couple of copies if at all possible it would be awesome.
John, again God bless you and your team for all you do for our friends in Darfur.
We're still carrying on but things are really tough. We can't use our vehicles because the minute we drive out of the compound we get carjacked. So we have a lot of "donkey butt!"
Only one our staff has shot in her leg, her driver in the hand. Both are recovering well.
Other than that, the cars and watches, cash, thurayas, cell phones, even some pairs of shoes are nothing compared to what the people of Darfur have lost. And are continuing to lose all the time. But man, their spirit is incredible. They just pick up and start again. They work their butts off. You can't help but fall in love with them.
So, keep pressing on as we are. Even though we are super discouraged now, we know there's got to be a solution.
Blessings to you and all your team. Don't give up!
Lenni Luchau
Samaritan's Purse International Relief
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/10/07
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(24 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 10, 2007 12:20 AM
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The doc was extremely well done, informative and moving.
Before viewing it, I thought I was fairly well informed on the Dafur crisis, but definitely learned a lot.
I wish only that the filmmakers had taken the opportunity to inform and direct viewers on how they, as individuals, can help.
We can lobby our politicians, we can give money to recognized charities... surely there must be more we can do for these people. What? Tell us.
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Edited by voxie at 12/09/2007 9:20 PM
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Posts:
2
Registered:
12/6/07
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(23 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 7, 2007 9:02 AM
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If we learn anything from history, more often than not mass atrocities, ethnic cleansing and genocide are brought to an end down the barrel of a gun.
The genocide in Rwanda was ended by military action, ethnic cleansing in former Yugoslavia was brought to an end by military action as was the Holocaust. I just don?t know if sanctions, divestment, or the shame and blame game will be effective in stopping the violence. And if does it will be far too late. It seems to me the only way to end crises like the genocide in Darfur is through strong military action.
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12/7/07
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(22 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 7, 2007 12:47 AM
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Hi my name is Kareema,
I am an Arab Muslim living in southern California. Recently, I've read about the crisis in Darfur and it breaks my heart to know such a thing occurs not that far from where I am originally from. It?s beyond cruel and injustice to watch these people suffer, when they have done nothing wrong and only want to live simple lives. I want to help more then you can imagine. I am pleading for any form of assistance I may aid in helping the people of west Darfur. I don?t have much but I do have a mouth and I will try in someway or another to show people around my area that this is a main issue in which we need to help and not ignore or brush off. If there is any idea you may have please respond, so that I may begin showing people in my college, home, family and work, what is happening in Africa. Thank you so much.
Best Regards,
Kareema
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Edited by kemo23 at 12/06/2007 9:49 PM
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/6/07
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(21 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 6, 2007 11:08 PM
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Dear John - I have done little to help about Darfur mainly because I can't figure out what would be effective. (Wearing a green rubber bracelet or putting a sign on the lawn doesn't do much to help, in my opinion.)
What do you think about a campaign to get America to boycott the Olympics in China? I understand that China is a main supporter of the government in Khartoum because of the oil. Also, the Chinese have a lot of national pride riding on their being the Olympic hosts. Would they not want to avoid the international embarrassment of having a boycott of the Olympics due to their stance in The Sudan? I am just trying to think of a strategy that might move the political powers in this horrible international game of realpolitik.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/6/07
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(20 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 6, 2007 11:00 PM
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Thank you for presenting this profound documentary. The film boldly covered the complexity of this genocide and the consequences of our global inaction.
Beyond UNAMID, why isn't more pressure being directed internationally at securing the minimal military air support which is necessary for the additional forces to be effectively deployed?
What more can be done to pressure China, when our own U.S. corporations won't face their complicity and most of our presidential candidates won't state their plans for dealing with this genocide?
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/6/07
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(19 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 6, 2007 10:39 PM
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Mr. Prendergast,
Hi, my name is Michelle Gaines and I am a high school senior. I first became introduced to the horrors of genocide through the film Hotel Rwanda. At that time, I naively believed the holocaust was the only genocide of its kind. I was wrong.
Since then, I have tried to educate myself on the current genocide in Darfur and past genocides. I have also tried to do my part through writing letters to my congress member and writing articles concerning Darfur in my school?s newsmagazine.
When I get older, I want to help further by doing work that concerns humanitarian aid, protection of human rights, and genocide prevention and intervention. I?d like your advice on how to go about doing this.
In college, what are areas I can major in to help be part of the solution to genocide? (I was thinking international relations or political science.) After college, what are jobs I can do to be a part of genocide prevention and intervention and humanitarian aid?
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post and hopefully answer my questions. I would also like to thank you for the wonderful work you have done both for the people of Darfur and for people like me who you have served as a role-model and inspiration.
Thank you again and best wishes,
Michelle Gaines
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Posts:
1
Registered:
12/6/07
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(18 of 32)
Re: SAND AND SORROW: Questions for John Prendergast
Dec 6, 2007 10:37 PM
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JP ~
My brother...you breathe life into death...fiercely force hope in the face of despair...challenge the seemingly insurmountable obstacles with patience, integrity and passion...and again, open my eyes...and the eyes of the world...
Everything in life happens for a reason my brother...I'm so proud of you...thank you!
~MP
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