Modern Heroes 7/19/07
This last Thursday, July 19th, several Denverites made an impression on the people of Denver, or at least this author.
These everyday modern heroes were advocating for the end of genocide in Darfur. The plan at first glance, makes sense, though I do not know if is entirely sound. Here’s the short of the long:
The Sudanese government sends oil to a Chinese company, PetroChina, in exchange for guns, ammunition, and money. Companies like Fidelity and other institutions invest US dollars into PetroChina. What the Divest for Darfur campaign is focusing on is asking these US companies to divest their investments in PetroChina to keep money and guns from going into Sudan. Other US companies, like Coca Cola, are in Sudan but they are providing important life and society building tools, like schools, etc. The Divest for Darfur campaign is not interested in taking money that benefits Darfur away, only the money that promotes violence. This campaign strategy is attributed to the success of ending Apartheid.
Here’s where I experience some confusion and doubt, and I would love readers input on this.
If US companies pull out their money, sell their investments, doesn’t that mean that another company in another country will buy the investment and put their money back in? Be that as it may, I for one would still feel better if US money wasn’t supporting the terrible genocide of Darfur.
Excuse me; I’ve sidetracked from the intent of this blog: to honor the small group of people who gathered in Denver, some wearing ugly, bright yellow shirts saying, “I’m not invested in Genocide, are you?”, to participate in education of the public on this issue, and hopefully encourage Fidelity to divest. Now, whether this tactic or strategy will have any significant effect or not, we are forced to stop and recognize their efforts and honor these everyday Modern Heroes who took time from their Thursday morning and afternoon simply because the genocide in Darfur is, to these people and many others, to terrible to sit idly by and wait for it to end. In some way, these people have to do something, anything, because they care so strongly about ending this genocide and preventing future occurences. And that is admirable.
If this blog moved you in any way, here are two sites you will want to check out!
Save Darfur and Divest for Darfur campaign info click here
Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action click here
July 24th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
What is your opinion on ‘focusing on peace’ like what is spoken about in the book/movie The Secret? Mother Theresa said she would come to a ‘peace rally’ but not an ‘anti-war rally’ because the Universe/God does not understand the negative. In other words ‘ant-war’to the Universe is saying ‘war’ because the negation is not understood. Make sense?
July 25th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Interesting point Laura.
Everyone has a different take and understanding of ‘The Secret.’ Some people claim it all to be happenstance and never give it another thought, and others believe in its message so deeply they treat it as a guide book to the laws of the universe.
I’m somewhere in the middle. Focusing on what you want will help get you to that place, whereas focusing on the negative just holds you back. Focus alone, however, is never enough. Otherwise every child would have a pony.
After focus there must be serious action.
Furthermore, I’m not sure the universe, which can understand our words which are in turn symbols for emotions, thoughts, feelings, etc., would have any issue understanding negatives. If I focus on how much I don’t want bills for example, the universe can’t be so simple minded that it continues to send me bills thinking this will please me. Instead, I think my focus on bills locks me into a pattern I can’t break regardless of the universe. When focus is changed to abundance, I can begin to create abundance and in turn reduce bills, etc.
That being said, I do wish that more people would adhere to the Mother Theresa idea of attending ‘peace rally’s” as opposed to ‘anti-war rally’s.’ If everyone could be more of this mindset, I do believe that we would experience a global consciousness shift, and that can’t happen with everyone focused on war.
September 18th, 2007 at 4:58 am
Hello
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Bye
September 18th, 2007 at 9:21 am
You’re welcome and thanks for the comment! Glad you found it interesting and useful