An Overlooked Source

Nearly four years have passed since the beginning of the Darfur Conflict, and fortunately awareness is growing across the globe. Companies have helped with their divestment strategies, governments with their donations, and hundreds of organizations have been formed with the intent to bring relief. Although these sources of help are the most dominant, help is also coming from small but effective sources that are sometimes overlooked-people. Ordinary people are creating an impact toward the global involvement in Darfur. These people are taking their skills and resources, and utilizing them to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. People using common interests, specifically in the arts, are forming a foundation when it comes to the global involvement toward Darfur, Sudan.

Art is a successful tool in the relief for western Sudan because it is a skill that many excel at, and have interest in. With this widespread interest, people are using art to educate others about the Darfur Conflict, or even unite people to take action. One artist in particular, Hassaan Ali, uses his gift in art as a tool to inspire others to take action. His paintings depict and emphasize the “pain and trauma of displacement as a result of wars, famines and ill-conceived development projects” (Sudan Tribune). One of the main problems in global involvement regards awareness. With these paintings Ali has not only illustrated the conflict in Darfur, but also evoked feelings to make people take action. Another artist named Benny Andrews has also made contributions to Sudan, specifically by sparking a huge relief event for his work. Located at the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery, Andrew’s work will be honored in late February and all profits will go to relief organizations. Although his paintings are not Darfur themed, they will still be used to help the country. Co-owner of the gallery, Mark Karelson, hopes to “raise $1 million to help the people of Darfur over the next 12 months” (Eckstein). The $1 million raised will all be donated to the nonprofit organization, Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), who is currently feeding over 450,000 people with a Darfur Emergency Relief Fund. These artists are just one instance of people using their skills and available resources to make a positive impact in the world.

Another type of art and interest that countless numbers of people share is music. When applying this talent, several unique ways to end the Darfur crisis arise. One way is the Save Darfur Tour, a benefit concert tour to not only raise money, but awareness as well. As the Save Darfur Tour states, “the problem is not necessarily apathy; rather, it is lack of awareness of the situation. The tour will educate an incredibly receptive audience about the devastating state of Darfur through perhaps the most universally understood and empowering language: music” (Save Darfur Tour). Musical artists can play, listeners can participate, and ultimately people can unite to make a positive difference in Darfur. Another relief effort combines musical manufacturers and artists to raise money for Darfur refugees. A benefit auction is taking place on the internet, where merchandise, “signed by Music for Human Rights supporters are up for auction, all to benefit Darfur” (Harmony Central).

Some of the artists supporting Music for Human Rights and selling merchandise in the auction include Gwen Stefani, Coldplay, Radiohead, and U2 (AmnestyUSA), who are from America, England, and Ireland respectively. With these bands and artists having such prominent roles in the musical world, the merchandise has the potential to sell for large prices, and therefore boost the Darfur donations. By taking something like music, something that millions of people can relate to, and combining it with benefit events and organizations, a large difference can be easily made.

Creating an impact in such an immense crisis may seem like an impossible task to many, but this impact is not only possible for the average person, it happens every day. It does not take millions of dollars, or a high political position to make a difference. When people unite and use their personal interests and skills as tools, a difference is made. The potential of ordinary people is strong when it comes to a crisis like the one in Sudan. With the variety of events and organizations created by people every day, hope for Darfur is near. Whether it be through art, music, or some other common aspect, people can truly make a difference. All it takes is the confidence and determination to make it happen.

Here are a few of these wonderful initiatives:

1. Care

2. Harmony Central
3. Sudan Tribune
4. Amnesty USA