As I was looking for updates this week on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) the only coverage of the country in the mainstream media was related to rebels who killed and ate 2 silverback mountain gorillas in eastern Congo. Click here for the article.
Two things about this struck me. Firstly, this highlights the ongoing need for the international community to create stability in eastern Congo; things are so unstable that even gorillas are not safe, nor are the rangers who protect them. Secondly, I'm reminded of a story I heard about the Rwandan genocide. Apparently, during the genocide, Congress received more letters from constituents about the need to protect the endangered gorillas in Rwanda then about what was happening to the Rwandan people. I've visited these gorilla in Rwanda and know from experience how wonderful and important they are, but why is no one writing about the hundreds of people who are dying each day in eastern Congo? Perhaps its because they know the world doesn't care, or if it does care, no one will do anything about it because there are no consequences for inaction. We must change this.
Remember the final Seinfeld episode where Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer were arrested for not abiding by the Good Samaritan Law? Instead of helping a man who was being robbed, they laughed at him and made jokes. While humorous, this episode teaches a very important lesson; we cannot look the other way when others are in need, its our responsibility to help. As citizens in a globalized world we have a responsibility to speak out and take action to help the suffering Congolese people, not just cute gorillas. Tell your senators, representatives and local papers that you care about being a good Samaritan and you want to help the Congolese people. Don't stand by and let the atrocities committed in the DRC become a joke.
Two things about this struck me. Firstly, this highlights the ongoing need for the international community to create stability in eastern Congo; things are so unstable that even gorillas are not safe, nor are the rangers who protect them. Secondly, I'm reminded of a story I heard about the Rwandan genocide. Apparently, during the genocide, Congress received more letters from constituents about the need to protect the endangered gorillas in Rwanda then about what was happening to the Rwandan people. I've visited these gorilla in Rwanda and know from experience how wonderful and important they are, but why is no one writing about the hundreds of people who are dying each day in eastern Congo? Perhaps its because they know the world doesn't care, or if it does care, no one will do anything about it because there are no consequences for inaction. We must change this.
Remember the final Seinfeld episode where Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer were arrested for not abiding by the Good Samaritan Law? Instead of helping a man who was being robbed, they laughed at him and made jokes. While humorous, this episode teaches a very important lesson; we cannot look the other way when others are in need, its our responsibility to help. As citizens in a globalized world we have a responsibility to speak out and take action to help the suffering Congolese people, not just cute gorillas. Tell your senators, representatives and local papers that you care about being a good Samaritan and you want to help the Congolese people. Don't stand by and let the atrocities committed in the DRC become a joke.
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