So why are these people hypocrites you ask? Well, the conflict in Darfur has some striking similarities to a topic of hot debate we have been arguing over here in America. Before I tell you what it is though, here are the facts of Darfur.The "Save Darfur" campaign was created to stand up for the human rights of people living in this specific region of Chad. Those living in Darfur have become victims to ethnic discrimination, which has led to acts of mass murder. Some would call it mass genocide. The UN estimates that the mortality rate is somewhere around 10,000 lives lost in the region, while other advocacy groups say its more like 400,000 deaths.
Now, how does this parallel to a current event in America? If you hadn't made the connection yet, this ethnic conflict in Darfur is strikingly similar to Iraq. Not Iraq now, but the Iraq we liberated in 2003. Since 1979, Iraq had been ruled by the brutal dictator Saddam Hussein. As a Sunni himself, Hussein took power despite 73% of the population being of Shi'ite belief, a threat in Saddam's eyes. This is why, over his tenure as dictator, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein killed and arrested thousands of innocent people whom Hussein felt was a threat.
It's now 2003- Enter the United States. the U.S. military has captured Saddam Hussein from hiding in a spider hole, and turned him over to the Iraqi government. After standing trial, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity by his own nation. The United States then worked with the Iraqi government to build a democracy, giving rights and freedoms to the newly liberated 35 million citizens of Iraq.
Iraqis celebrating the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime and dictatorship by tearing down a statue of Hussein
In condemning the war in Iraq, George Clooney said, "We're picking on people we can beat." Then, as a voice for a different movement he said, "The critical hour for Darfur is now!"George Clooney isn't the only celebrity making a fool of himself over the Darfur fad either. Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Biel (just to name a few) have also thrown their name into the "ethical pot" for the Darfur refugees, while also condemning the liberation of Iraq. Just as these celebrities express their hypocritical ideals from behind podiums or Ferrari steering wheels, mindless 'star-struck' followers have taken up the initiative by purchasing their own witty t-shirt slogans. Figures why the rest of the world sees America as a nation full of idiots.
Case in Point
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Some on the far left have come to much the same conclusion as you, actually. Academics like Mahmood Mamdani believe that the Save Darfur movement was created as the humanitarian face of the War on Terror (and was even meant to distract Americans from anti-war advocacy). That is, advocating for military intervention in Darfur is a political option, not a moral imperative, just like it was a political option to invade Iraq. Some who agree with him critique the movement in essentially the same way you do, by asking how liberals can advocate for war in Darfur if they're against the Iraq war. You're right. If you were against the invasion of Iraq, it's hypocritical to support a military solution in Darfur.
ReplyDeleteHey man this is good stuff, I have been waiting for someone else to make the connection between Darfur and Iraq
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