The Horrible Truth about Geonocide

I just watched the CNN special Scream Bloody Murder documenting acts of genocide from WWII to Darfur. This program outlines historical facts regarding specific incidents of genocide in Cambodia, Turkey, Iraq, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. It also interviews people who tried to prevent the abuse of human rights and stop these incidents of genocide from occuring. Again and again the international political community has ignored or downplayed the incidents not acknowledging genocide until it is too late. It makes me so angry to watch the horrific stories. I detest the feelings of helplessness in the face of blatant evil and injustice. Will no one stand up to help these people? And when advocates do object, why are they ignored by the individuals with power to affect the situation?

As I contemplated this documentary, I felt called to action. We must do something. We must prevent this events from happening again. The need for action was clear in hindsight, but the more complex issue was what should we have done? Trade sanctions, military action, increasing UN peacekeeping forces, humanitarian aid, public denouncement. As a pacifist, I find it hard to recommend military action, but how else can you stop such evil? I don't know. We can gain little knowledge from previous experience because in most instances the international community has failed to act in a sufficient manner.

There are many conflicted areas where violence continues to dominate daily life: the DRC, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Israel/Palestine, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Burundi, etc. I wonder if one of these countries will be the location of genocide (some of them already have been). Past conflicts linger and continue to generate violence. How can peaceful resolution really happen in reality of such evil? How can we prevent genocide from happening? I can only hope the world will not continue to remain ignorant and immobile in the future.

You can watch Scream Bloody Murder on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4vI18HJM2o

Reminiscing Bangladesh

Things I miss from Bangladesh: Rice fields. Palm trees. Rainy afternoons. Mangos and pineapples. Bright colored saris and shalwar kameezes. Eating with my fingers. Rickshaw rides. Being rich. Neighborhood kids. Mehendi parties. Having a house helper. Pedicures. Iftar foods. Trips to the Barre. Cinnamon Chai. Stories. Eating by Candlelight. My VIP status. Afternoon visits from friends. Community. Hospitality. Intensity. Constant learning. Friendship.

Things I don't: Mosquitos. Staring men. Sweating profusely. Laundry by hand. Bangla sweets. Cockroaches. Weddings. Being bossed around. Overcrowded buses. Smells. Lack of privacy and alone time. Inefficiencies. Power Outages. Fights over powering the water tank. No AC. Running out of water. Moving again. Baksheesh. Extreme poverty. Injustice towards women. Dirty feet. Going to the outdoor sqautty in the middle of the night. Vicks Vapor Rub medicinal treatments. Language frustrations. Rationing Western foods. Missing my friends and family. Corruption.

Overall, I have to say I miss the place.