Last night I experienced a vivid, empathic nightmare. Malicious, vile, brutality was being inflicted on an innocent girl while her mother removed herself from maternal instincts in a room down the hall. The girl’s cries were muffled even though coming from the bathroom, she had been through this before and didn’t want to provoke further attack. She was placed in the hallway to absorb her “lesson”.
She sat on the floor with silent tears streaming down her broken face. Her breath was far too heavy for a five year old. I could see and sense her spirit shrinking. I was confined to observance. I couldn’t reach her with my body so I sat down opposite of her. I matched my breath with hers sending her as much love and compassion that I am capable of. This energy was transferred through multicolored tendrils of smoke. The vibrancy diminished though when it reached this little girl.
My heart sank and I began to sob as I tried to bridge the gap between pure intention and tangible action. I slowly crawled toward her in time with her labored breath. The moment I was within reach suddenly the abuser approached, her face winced and I faded as he stepped on my head in front of her ordering her to go to bed. With a calmness that sunk the soul she said “I can’t see.”
I awoke from the nightmare so shaken. A few days ago, while studying for a midterm, I listened to Anne Deavere Smith on Ted Talks. Anne is a storyteller who brings to life American stories in her performances. She told the story of Paulette Jenkins, the mother of the abused child of my dreams. The child died and her story lingered in my subconscious and produced my nightmare. That little innocent, powerless girl lived this nightmare of existence.
There are millions of people throughout the world that are enduring nightmares of malicious, vile, brutality with many of us confined to observance. Thoughts of love and compassion dwindle in substance when met with the reality of distance. Only tangible action can awaken humanity from the nightmare.
A five year old child living in Darfur has led a life colored red with the blood of relatives and neighbors. Children who have not known peace in their existence. These children are our children. My children. The awareness of the genocidal murder of our brothers and sisters in Darfur needs to be expanded so that tangible action can be provoked from the power of empathy. China needs to be pressured.
Last week I received an email from Amnesty International concerning the upcoming Global Day for Darfur. On April 13th, thousands of people from around the world will stand in solidarity for Darfur. There will be a exhibition on the National Mall in D.C. entitled Displaced which will feature the artwork of youth and speeches by Darfur activists.
I decided to create a blogblast for Darfur and sent out a prelimary action alert to Wayne of the Electronic Village, Purple Zoe of the UltraViolet Underground and Vanessa of Vanessa Unplugged. Wayne forwarded the message to fellow bloggers and we have confirmation that these blogs will participate:
on Apr 1st, 2008 at 1:04 am
Coincidentally, I saw your Blogblast email come in while I was reading this post.
Travis’s last blog post..Mo’s Manic Monday - Pull
on Apr 1st, 2008 at 7:53 am
Children Who Didn’t Have to Die -
In recent years, there have been numerous stories in newspapers around the world about the failures of the departments of Family Services and Social Services to do their respective jobs of monitoring and assisting children in dangerous situations. Do we ever read about a child murdered by a family that the Department of Children & Families or the Sheriff’s Office has not already investigated, usually more than once? What will it take to protect these innocent children?
These stories are a step in the right direction, but one wonders if perhaps they came too late. All the outrage in the world can’t resurrect a dead child.
Too many children have died as a result of wrong decisions by CPS. With power comes responsibility and accountability, which most officials ignore. A child welfare system so overwhelmed with children who don’t need to be in foster care,the less time they have to find children in real danger.
Let’s NOT allow these precious children’s death to be in vain - in the news one day, forgotten the next.
Children Who Didn’t Have to Die - Website http://suncanaa.com/
on Apr 1st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I have often thought about the children of Dafur as it seems they are not trendy enough to get attention to their plight. It sickens me how some in our world seem to have little value. I would glady do my part in this. I’m not very clever so you may need to let me know what to do.
Joy’s last blog post..A Small Red Bird
on Apr 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I plan to try to post on this later today or by tomorrow.
I’m glad to see more people getting on board to promote the issue of Darfur.
Thanks for your work on this initiative.
on Apr 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hiya Travis,In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur .
I do hope that you will join us in working toward a real end of all genocide. I am working on a slideshow of sorts for the promotion of
Whenever there is such disregard for human worth we all suffer the consequences.
In light and love
on Apr 2nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Suncana,
Thank you for blessing us with your dedicated and determined energy. After In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur, I will spotlight your organization and your efforts.
We must honor life by honoring the potential in our children.
In light and love
Danielle
on Apr 2nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Joyful Joy,
I will make it easier for everyone to participate by producing a slideshow badge that can be displayed on your sidebar as well as posted on April 13th for In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur blogblast, that is the title of the action by the way.
Thank you for your contribution. If we all expend our energies toward the light then the darkness will be vanquished.
There is such a large capacity for the best and worst within humanity. The outcome is simply based on what we choose to express.
Thank you for adding your light.
In light and love
Danielle
on Apr 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Yobachi,
You are the only that deserves thanks.
I had no idea about Darfur before your Day for Darfur a few months back.
Once our minds has the ability to grasp what is going on; action is inevitable.
In light and love. We will keep soldering on.
Danielle
on Apr 2nd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
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on Apr 4th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
[...] you consider joining us for the In Solidarity: Global Day for Darfur blogblast on April 13th? Introduction to the Movement Nifty Web Badge Slide show and Suggestions on how to Participate Sphere: Related [...]
on Apr 6th, 2008 at 1:56 am
I would like to participate in the Darfur blogblast on April 13th.
username: aaron&alaine
url: http://www.politicalseason.blogspot.com
Aaron’s last blog post..Stop NAACP Defense of Rapists [Digg]
on Apr 6th, 2008 at 2:14 am
@Aaron,
It is so great to have you on board. I will be adding more information on the blogblast before the weekend is over and add new participants to the link list as well as the slideshow for the In Solidarity: Day for Darfur.
Wishing you and yours health, balance and joy
on Apr 9th, 2008 at 4:51 am
I heard Anna Devere Smith’s story about this mother who allowed her daughter to be killed earlier today. I have been in emotional pain ever since. I am sick with it. It’s not the first time –my whole life I’ve heard stories like this that just rip my heart out. And I wished I could have been there to stop this crime the night it happened. Been there to run into the bathroom and rescue her. I made a promise to her and to myself in my pain today that one day, in her name, I will be there for another child. I will, god willing, step in and save another child from that fate. She is in my thoughts and I am sending her all my love tonight. I was so touched by your dream because it suggested she reached out to you in her pain across time and space. This Pain–even the pain of her sick and cruel parents–is OUR pain. We are all in this together. There are millions of people who would have fought tooth and nail and let nothing stop them that night if they had heard her being beaten. They would have saved her. Her mother wasn’t one of them but most human beings would have done anything to save her in that moment. The thing is we need to find ways, as human societies to protect each other before it gets to the point it did for her.
on Apr 11th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Danielle - I will join…my url is http://opinionatedblackwoman.com
Thanks…
MarvalusOne’s last blog post..Old School Friday: Grown Folks Music