Many refugees from Sudan's Darfur region walked across the Sinai desert to seek refuge in Israel, which is empathetic to genocide victims because of the Holocaust but considers Muslim Sudan an enemy nation.
Courtesy/JTA
save darfur
Students can make a difference in halting genocide through activism.
hen we are young, we hear the words, "never again." At first, they
mean never another Holocaust, never again to the Jews. But as we
mature, we begin to understand that there was genocide before the
Holocaust • and, more horrifying still, that there has been genocide since. The
words "never again" begin to carry a new connotation: responsibility.
For the past four years, the Sudanese government has been sponsoring a
brutal campaign against the peoples of Darfur, a western region of Sudan.
Through forced starvation and the government-backed rebel militia known as
the Janjaweed, the genocide already has claimed at least 400,000 innocent lives.
At least 2 million more have been displaced. The United Nations has named
Darfur the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
Almost 7,000 miles away, students of Birmingham Seaholm High School have
taken a stand. An interdisciplinary English and social studies class called Flex
gives upper classmen the opportunity to teach electives relating to the quarter's
focus. Last quarter it was genocide. This reporter and fellow junior, Max Smith,
led an activism-based class on the genocide in Darfur.
The first fundraiser for the class was a band jam, a concert featuring local art-
ists and bands, for which the class made and sold bracelets as admission. Woven
from hemp, each bracelet contains green beads — green being the color of the
Save Darfur camp aign.
"The support of the school was encouraging, and it didn't just come from
students; I found myself selling to teachers who were buying bracelets for them-
selves and even their kids," said junior Hadas Corey of Birmingham.
The band jam, held May 31 at AJ's Cafe in Ferndale, was a success, raising
more than $700 of the $1,000 goal, with all proceeds going to the Save Darfur
Coalition. Local businesses, including Cold Stone Creamery and Astrein's
Jewelers, donated gift certificates for a raffle, and five local bands donated their
time to play.
"I'm glad to give my time," said Jacob Rosen, a member of both the activ-
ism class and the Howlers, a participating band. "This cause has become really
Left Jacob Rosen of The Howlers plays during the band jam fundraiser for Darfur.
Right: Jessica Kursman and Sarah Thomas, both 16 and from Birmingham, work the Seaholm Darfur booth at the Battle
of the Bands at Shain Park in Birmingham on June 9.
important to me, and it's great being able to rally community support."
The class' second fundraiser was a bake sale, held before and between classes
during finals week. Again, school support was shown, and students worked hard
baking and donating their between-class breaks to help out.
Even after the band jam, bracelets continue to be sold and worn
as a show of support. In the fall, T-shirts will be sold at Seaholm.
"Already 400,000 have perished," said Max Smith in an opening
speech at the band jam "We are here for those who are still living."
By Grace Klein, 17, Birmingham Seaholm
Other area high schools also picked up the cause. West Bloomfield High School held a
Darfur rally, open to the community, to help raise money and awareness. North Farmington
High School's theme this year was genocide. Its newspaper staff put out a publica-
tion devoted to genocides past and present and also hosted a rally. If you want to get
involved, visit www.SaveDarfur.org to learn more about the genocide in Darfur, donate to
the campaign or find a Save Darfur group or event near you!