There is a moment in every global crisis where things no longer seem new and dynamic. Where hope for a solution is replaced with uncertainty, which morphs into cynicism, despair, or even indifference. Many people who were such enthusiastic supporters of building a movement to end the genocide in Darfur have gone through some of these stages, frustrated by the lack of a resolution of the crisis there.
As one of our former presidents used to say, "We feel your pain." But people are still dying in Darfur. Villages are still being bombed. Women are still being subjected to sexual assaults. Tens of thousands have been displaced in the last few months.
We got together and talked about what can be done in this video, "Bang the Drum for Darfur."
It's not over. We need you back. We need new people to raise their voices for the people of Darfur. Citizen action made a difference in helping to lay the groundwork for a peaceful referendum in Southern Sudan. It's Darfur's turn now. Much has been learned about why earlier international action in Darfur didn't work. We can apply those lessons and make a real difference. Go to www.enoughproject.org/take_action to find out how you can help.
Don Cheadle is an Academy Award-nominated actor, film producer, philanthropist, and author. He is a co-founder of the anti-genocide organization Not On Our Watch. John Prendergast is a human rights activist and author. He is co-founder of the Enough Project, an initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Cheadle and Prendergast are co-authors of The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes.