It’s not unusual that media coverage of genocide falls shamefully short. Even more so in recent years, it has been overshadowed by the Iraq war and less-horrendous stories. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times, however, has covered the horrifying accounts of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, now into its fifth year, with 400,000 dead and over 2 million in displaced-persons camps. So recently when I learned that Kristof would speak on genocide at NC State University, I attended. The large Nelson Hall auditorium was packed with students lining the isles and standing in the back, mostly college students but a good number of older adults. It was heart warming to see such an outpouring in interest of humankind.
Kristof’s recounting of the evil deeds perpetrated on innocent women, men, boys, girls, and even babies, penetrates to our most inner core, our humanness, a calling to save the sanctity of our own species. Genocide is so painful, so horrific, and so evil; it seems hardly anyone can bear to look it in the face or even to acknowledge its atrociousness.
In an op-ed, Why Genocide Matters, Kristof wrote last September 10th”: "We have a moral compass within us, and its needle is moved not only by human suffering but also by human evil. That's what makes genocide special - not just the number of deaths but the government policy behind them. And that in turn is why stopping genocide should be an even higher priority than saving lives from AIDS or malaria."
I hope you will join us on Monday, March 12th as we learn together more about genocide, gain courage to look it in the face, become more responsible to our own humanity, to see if the needle of our moral compass can be moved. Collectively, I believe we can make a difference! Also, learn more at http://www.savedarfur.org/.
Genocide Awareness Program
March 12th, 2007
Johnston Memorial Medical Mall
Room 1404B/1404A
Sponsored by The Smithfield Rotary Club. For dinner reservations call 919-934-2137 by March 8th. Dinner at 6:00 PM—cost $10.00. Come for program only, free of charge, beginning at 6:45 PM. Please join us.
Kristof’s recounting of the evil deeds perpetrated on innocent women, men, boys, girls, and even babies, penetrates to our most inner core, our humanness, a calling to save the sanctity of our own species. Genocide is so painful, so horrific, and so evil; it seems hardly anyone can bear to look it in the face or even to acknowledge its atrociousness.
In an op-ed, Why Genocide Matters, Kristof wrote last September 10th”: "We have a moral compass within us, and its needle is moved not only by human suffering but also by human evil. That's what makes genocide special - not just the number of deaths but the government policy behind them. And that in turn is why stopping genocide should be an even higher priority than saving lives from AIDS or malaria."
I hope you will join us on Monday, March 12th as we learn together more about genocide, gain courage to look it in the face, become more responsible to our own humanity, to see if the needle of our moral compass can be moved. Collectively, I believe we can make a difference! Also, learn more at http://www.savedarfur.org/.
Genocide Awareness Program
March 12th, 2007
Johnston Memorial Medical Mall
Room 1404B/1404A
Sponsored by The Smithfield Rotary Club. For dinner reservations call 919-934-2137 by March 8th. Dinner at 6:00 PM—cost $10.00. Come for program only, free of charge, beginning at 6:45 PM. Please join us.
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