Don Cheadle and John Prendergast - Articles - Zimbio

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, OLYMPIC DREAMS AND DARFUR

Fri, 22 Dec 2007 05:20:34 GMT

posted by ilovemylife

It isn't that I want to lay guilt at anyone's heart who already desires to help end the genocide on the Darfuri people of Sudan. I just want us "Not to Forget". It is so easy to forget because our news media has chosen to NOT REPORT THE DARFUR CRISIS. You can however still catch the well-done HBO documentary film, Sand and Sorrow, as it is repeatedly aired.

It is Christmas and I know that Darfuri people don't celebrate Christmas because they are Muslims, however according to the website of Ontario Consultants of Religious Tolerance, there are 2,039 million Christians in the world. I was raised Christian. A fundamentalist, born-again, Bible-knowledgeable Christian from Indiana where my heritage points strongly to the Mennonites. Indiana has strong regions of Mennonites and the not-too-far-different Amish. Anyone, Christian or not, who has a moral code with humanity at its core, would ~ in my way of thinking ~ include genocide as one of those things that we must make a stand against. And I don't mean in the way that President Bush has taken a stand ~ merely rhetorically. I mean in actually forming a strategy to bring humanity to where the inhumane behaviors of genocide are getting nothing more than a statement against it every several months by the Christian, President George W Bush. A strategy to bring genocide to an end. You can't say you are a Christian and then act immorally and amorally as Bush has done for the last 5 years regarding the people of Darfur ~ and have credibility. Here is a man in a position to actually do something. And he has done nothing.

Still, Still, Still

Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas, either on December 25 or January 6. And it seems so right to me to think about Darfur and the five year genocide, that is going on there, while we have knowledge of it ~ while we celebrate the joy of the birth of "our" Saviour. If "our" Saviour didn't come to free us from our ignorance and cold-hearted indifference, then it seems to me like a wasted trip to this mortal life if only for our isolated, individual souls. And that is, if you didn't know the teachings of the baby Jesus when he starting imparting his parables and demonstrating his Christian behavior while he walked on this Earth. Because if you have knowledge of those things, you know what we are to be doing for our brothers and sisters of Darfur, who are in such dire need.

I don't concern myself by describing myself as a Christian or by religion, but how I live my life. It is simple for me. What I make of those who say they are Christians and don't act in ways that I could tell, is this ~ if I don't see your life bearing any resemblance to your words, then truth is missing. There is a song "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love" that says it all in the title.

As I get hungry and think of the cookies and milk that are mine by simply walking to get them or if I am tired, I know I have the comforts of a bathroom and a cozy bedroom to feel at home in ~ I almost always think how it is for the hungry and homeless living in the cold because a man named Omar al-Bashir wants power over the Darfuri people.

Yes, it is Christmas in my life and even though Christmas is not a religious day for the Darfuri children and adults ~ they are not out of sight, out of my mind. I carry their hearts in my heart. As we all could if we chose to. And I do more than give it lip service, I work toward ending the genocide. We need our elected politicians to get the fortitude, the political will and moral imperative to use their power to bring the spirit of Christmas ~ Peace on Earth ~ in the way of strategies to end this man-made disaster named genocide.

The Power of The Dream sung by the "Children of Atlanta". Written by David Foster, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Linda Thompson. August 4th, 1996 Atlanta, Georgia USA.
The Power of the Dream sung by Celine Dion at the 1996 Opening Ceremonies.

China will open the world's Olympics, August 8, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. with the theme, "One World, One Dream" and yet China supplies the weapons for the Darfur genocide and provides money for the genocide's military equipment and funding. And Russia sells the antonov planes to bomb the Darfuri people in conjunction with the government-backed janjaweed soldiers. China is also funding the new residence of Sudanese architect of the genocide, President Omar al-Bashir. Eric Reeves has written an article Partners in Genocide: A Comprehensive Guide to China's Role in Darfur. Also, Mia Farrow, writes of Darfur and her trips there. She also writes of the fact that the 2008 Olympics will be Genocide Olympics ~ just as the Olympics in Berlin, Germany were dubbed, that took place while the holocaust was going on. I am a great believer in "We the People" and our importance of forming the world we live in, the world we want to live in, the world we want to shape for our children' and grand children's future.

GENOCIDE STOPS WITH US
AND IF OUR LEADERS WON'T LEAD ON THIS ISSUE
WE MUST LEAD THEM.

You can give a tax deductible donation of $30 and provide a way for the women and girls not to have to go after firewood to cook with where the systematic rapes take place as a tool of the governmentally-supported genocide: Solar Cooker Project

$30 SOLAR COOKER Donation Provides:

2 Solar Cookers per family
2 Pots
2 Pot Holders
Year supply of plastic bags
Skills Training for refugee women and girls

»	Learn more about the Solar Cooker Project

Call President Bush's Comment Phone Line 202-456-1111
or
Call 1-800-GENOCIDE
Enter your zip code. Choose to be connected to President Bush. You will receive talking points on SADA (Sudan Accountabiltiy and Divestment Act) before you are connected.
Visit www.1800genocide.com after your call to tell how it went.

genocide intervention
save darfur
darfur genocide
amnesty

Make It A Holy Night
do something
and then have a Merry Christmas

Thank you.

Believe

Still Waiting for a Blessing in Darfur

Thu, 23 Nov 2007 20:38:00 GMT

posted by vmenard

The day after Thanksgiving when we are all eating wonderful leftovers I think about the starving people throughout the world, and my heart goes out to them. My heart goes out to the homeless and the victims of crime.

As a member of the Connecticut Coalition to Save Darfur, my heart is heavy when I think of the victims of Genocide in Darfur.

The 2.5 million plus people living in refugee camps in Africa depend on the aid workers to eat, and survive. These relief agencies work with a daily threat of violence.

If Genocide is a concern purchase a t-shirt to show you support of ending the Genocide.

Letter From Don Cheadle Darfur Now

Thu, 16 Nov 2007 22:03:00 GMT

posted by vmenard
Below is a copied letter from Don Cheadle regarding his new film Darfur Now. The film is opening in CT today and will be playing at Bow-Tie Cinemas in Hartford (860-549-0030)(Brainard Rd.), and Garden Cinemas Norwalk. (203-846-8795)

Dear Vonda,

Thank you for your continued efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Darfur. I hope that you can join me in getting the word out about the new documentary "Darfur Now".

Darfur Now is a story of hope amid one of humanity's darkest hours. It shows how the work of six people can make a difference in Darfur, and how our voices united can bring an end to the unspeakable horrors the people of Darfur face every day.

It follows the achievements of a Darfuri woman, a community leader in West Darfur, a UCLA graduate, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, a U.N. humanitarian aid worker, and an actor and activist (me).
As you may know, a film's opening weekend is extremely important and determines the exposure it gets. Darfur Now opens this weekend, but only in selected cities. Come watch the movie and bring your friends so we can ensure a nationwide release, help educate people about the crisis in Darfur, and empower them to help end it.

Sincerely,

Don Cheadle, Not On Our Watch

George Clooney & Don Cheadle Awarded for Darfur Work

Tue, 28 Nov 2007 17:23:00 GMT

posted by vmenard
George Clooney and Don Cheadle will receive the Peace Summit Award in December. The award was given based on the work the two actors have done on behalf of Darfur. Both actors can be seen in the film Darfur Now.

It’s nice to see celebrities use their status for something positive. We need more public figures to stand for something, and try to make the world a better place. I urge everyone to see Darfur Now it’s an amazing film.

Welcome to our wikizine called "Don Cheadle and John Prendergast"

Sun, 7 May 2007 17:50:29 GMT

posted by The_Zimbio_Team
Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Don Cheadle and John Prendergast". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!