Why Are We Really Silent About Sudan?
There is a brutal massacre happening in Sudan right now.
At this very minute and this very hour, over one hundred people perhaps more have been killed. On record, there are seventy rape cases against women, children and a few boys and men. UNICEF is reporting nineteen children are among those pronounced dead. Despite this, for the most part, the world has been silent. Why?
"Maybe because they are Black. Maybe because they are African. Maybe because they are Muslim," posted one Twitter user. It could also be because the military behind these atrocities have powerful friends in the Middle East and Europe bankrolling and supporting them for their own personal gain.
mad respect to rihanna for showing awareness of what’s happening in Sudan on her IG story https://t.co/MhqoV1nFEC— hinata (@hinata) 1560269374.0
It is a bit chilling that something so horrific wouldn't warrant much attention. Especially considering how much attention and sympathy is given to other countries who have had less casualties. Even historic but empty buildings generate more support than Black human lives.
It is difficult to grasp the fact that the world just doesn't care about the violence and deaths of people of color no matter what part of the world they live in. Maybe it wouldn't hurt so much if the reasoning behind the Sudan crisis wasn't about freedom and democracy. But it is.
This massacre and protest crackdown was ignited purely because the people of Sudan want to be free like America and other countries. Right now, the mostly women-led protestors are simply asking the military power to step down as promised for a democratic transition of power elected by the people. Ironically, western nations like the U.S., England and France have always quickly intervened and aided countries who were fighting for democracy (as Sudan's alliance of opposition is currently doing), but this time the passion to defend a country's fight for democracy seems to almost be irrelevant and unimportant.
There was no Facebook profile to change our profile to a Sudanese landmark of flag. There is no massive Instagram outpour and hashtag to "Pray for Sudan." Naomi Campbell, Rihanna and George Clooney have been very vocal about what's happening in Sudan but most celebs who gave all their energy to Paris have been silent about Sudan. Why?
For those of you who don't understand what's happening in Sudan, here is a brief history.
Sudan's rich resources has always been of interest to its exploitative neighbors in both the Middle East and Europe who have been able to rape the country for it minerals and natural resources by supporting the dictatorship rule that has come at the expense of its citizens (Remember Blood Diamond?). Decades of internal conflict, a lack of economic progression and negligent governance with a military supported by Saudia Arabia and the UAE made life in Sudan difficult for the average person trying to make ends meet. The genocide and civil war between militia and rebel groups in the city of Darfur, Sudan was responsible for millions of deaths and the displacement of 2.5 million people.
In 2009, the international courts held Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during this present-day genoicide. The International Courts issued an arrest warrant for the president in 2009 and again in July 2010 to no avail. Unfortunately, the Sudanese government, the African Union and the League of Arab States did not recognize this decision. From that time, Bashir faced several protests leading all the way up to April 11, 2019 when Bashir was removed from his position by the Sudanese armed forces. This removal created a potential problem for Sudan's powerful exploitative neighbors who were benefiting under Bashir's undemocratic rule.
Many Sudanese assumed that Bashir's departure would lead to the democracy they had been protesting for. They wanted power to be turned over to a civilian (democratic) government whose interest was in its citizens and not power and wealth. Instead the vice president, Lt. Gen Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, declared himself the Head of State. He dissolved the cabinet and national legislature and announced that he and the military would rule for two years until there was a peaceful transition of power. This ignited more protests from the majority women-led demonstrators who continued to push for true democracy and the resignation of military rule.
Getty Images
On April 12, the military agreed to shorten their rule to one month and Auf stepped down as head of the Military Council and made General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan his successor. In the past few months, despite negotiations between protest leaders and the military, there has been no clear resolution of how the military rule will transfer power to civilian (democratic) rule. Thousands of protestors camped outside the TMC and held sit-ins to demand that TMC step down. With the strong financial and military backing of Saudi Arabia and the UAE (home to everybody's favorite vacation spot Dubai), the military ordered a crackdown on the protestors, which included random killings, beatings, rapes and the imprisonment and deportation of some high ranking protest leaders. The military is working alongside the Janjaweed forces who administered the killings that made Darfur a trending topic during its genocide.
The forces showed no mercy as they targeted hospitals, homes and raped children as young as six years old. The internet blackout was also successfully administered to limit the people's communication with the world and silence them. Somehow Russia also had their hands in the crackdown months before as The Telegraph reported and published a letter by the Dossier Center in which Vladimir Putin- linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin (a military contractor) criticized Bashir's regime "for not cracking down" on the peaceful protests. The Telegraph writes that the Russian businessman was angry that Bashir was too soft on the protestors "and ignored Russian advice to paint the protestors as "pro Israel", pro LGBT and anti Islam as a way to discredit them" in the Islamic dominated country. As you can see, there are many factors fueling the crisis in Sudan with so many hands meddling in the country's fight for democracy and stabilization.
Now that we understand Sudan's crisis, it is up to us to break the silence.
In an op-ed in Politico, George Clooney ,who has been active in speaking out against the exploitation and violence in Sudan and other war-torn countries for more than ten years, outlined suggestions to help Sudan and stop the military regime. Clooney wrote the following:
"Traveling throughout the Sudanese region of Darfur and neighboring refugee camps during the mid-2000s, we saw firsthand evidence of the monster the Sudanese regime had built to carry out a genocide. The government organized, armed and deployed militias, known then as the 'Janjaweed,' alongside the regular army as the primary instruments of its killing machine. Ethnic cleansing and mass rape were the Janjaweed's weapons of choice….If this sounds like another hopeless African crisis, it isn't. Sudan is a country that has unified Republicans and Democrats in Congress and successive administrations in Washington in defense of human rights and peace. Much more can be done now by the current Congress and the Trump administration — as well as allies in Europe and Africa — to create consequences for the leaders of (Sudan's) regime."
I believe much more can be done by each of us to help save Sudan's children, women and citizens.
Please help us raise awareness and medical supplies for the peaceful protesters in Sudan. If you can afford to, the… https://t.co/9XlIitvoVV— Bas (@Bas) 1559877616.0
Featured image by Getty Images
Abesi Manyando is a Journalist, Public Relations Specialist and Creative Writer obsessed with culture, art, and music. She intermixed her degree in business management and marketing with her love for writing to form the popular PR & Branding Development firm, Abesi PR eight years ago. She is now making art and writing her priority and is working on an upcoming children's book and creative projects that move her soul. You can follow Abesi on Instagram @abesipr and her blog, 7thandlotus.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS