Here is the text of my latest Toastmasters speech. It would have been better to do it the week leading up to Easter, but at least it's still Spring. After delivering this speech, I will have achieved my Competent Toastmaster distinction. This means I am now "officially" competent. Phew.

More personal reflections under separate cover!

Springtime is upon us. It is a time for rain showers and planting. Spring is a time when people think about cleaning out their closets in preparation for summer fun. The cycle is in plain sight during spring as seeds turn to sprouts which will eventually turn into blooms.

Besides the physical tidying and growth we see and do during the spring, it is also a traditional time for inner straightening out and progression. The cold winter has subsiding, and we are given a fresh slate on which the rest of our year will rest. We think about the good in us and the not so good in us. This year, for the first time, I began thinking more deeply about how I live in the world and what kind of person I would like to be. Part of this meditation requires me not only to consider the things I have done, but also the things left undone.

I've often spoke about the global community we live in and helping your neighbors. Through my contemplation and research, I've come to recognize one of the most egregious things left undone in our world is speaking out against the genocide currently taking place in Darfur.

We've all heard Darfur, on the radio, in the newspaper. But what is Darfur? What's so bad about Darfur? Why should I care about Darfur? What can I do about Darfur? These are the questions I hope to answer with you today.

Darfur is a region of African nation of Sudan. It is located in a drought-prone area of western Sudan, and is roughly the size of Texas. Darfur had a pre-conflict population of approximately 6 million people. Analysts believe the conflict arose because of four main factors. First, Sudan has seen the quantity of fertile land decline as the Sahara desert continues to grow. Tensions between tribes and farmers have been running high as the quantity of usable land declines.

The second factor was a Sudanese civil war. It has been called the most long lasting and devastating war in the world. The war ended in principle in January of 2005, but a key leader in reaching a peace agreement was killed in July destabilizing the peace process. Since then, hostilities have continued.

The third factor is the current leadership in Sudan. Sudan's ruling party is called the National Islamist Front which is an Islamist dictatorship led by a military general. This general has been called one of the most cruel and dangerous dictators in modern Africa with known affiliation and support for terrorist activities. The National Islamist Front favor policies which rely on racial and ethnic overtones, further polarizing the people.

The fourth factor is the marginalization of Darfur. A majority of the population in Darfur are Muslim as well, but practice a more moderate form of the religion. This difference led to the treatment of the black, Muslims in Darfur as second class citizens. Their neighbors have refused Darfur any representation in regional government, deprived them of resources and even went so far as to use governmental powers to harass the people of Darfur.

This may all seem like typical African politics, but the depth, brutality and systemic nature of the genocide against the people of Darfur is unlike any witnessed on Earth since World War II. Government sponsored Janjaweed militiamen are alleged to be carrying out the ethnic cleansing in Darfur. Government air strikes frequently precede the militias’ vicious raids. Villages are razed; women, men, and children are raped, tortured, and murdered. The Janjaweed also target and destroy Darfurian food and water supplies, threatening the victims' hopes for their future survival.

I can't imagine, let alone put into words what a feeling of fear and helplessness these people are feeling. Here are some words from a man who is from Darfur. These were gathered from him by a reporter after the Darfur man fled his village which was besiged, and in the confusion, leaving behind his wife and four children.


But there are things you can do. The United Nations have been pressing international leaders to take stronger positions against the Sudanese government's actions in relation to Darfur, but few have stepped in. The African Union has sent a modest number of troops to monitor the cease fire, but are not authorized to protect civilians, leaving them helpless to stop the janjaweed attacks. The US has donated $1.7 billion dollars to Darfur, but these funds are only a band aid on the problem.

Money alone won't solve this crisis. It will take concerted efforts from citizens around the world to face the fact that there is genocide going on right now in our world and these same citizens demanding their governments use their power to help those who are being ignored. We cannot sit by and watch.

Save Darfur Coalition is sponsoring a march in Washington DC on April 30th. Leading up to this demonstration, they are sponsoring a communication campaign to President Bush, asking for him to use his voice to speak for America against the atrocities in Sudan.

Today, I am asking you to use your voice to help the people of Darfur. I’ve brought a petition, which will be mailed to President Bush, asking for a more active American role in helping to stop the genocide. A few moments of effort, repeated a million times over and focused behind a single message, can have an impact on millions of lives. Join those who feel the time for action has come. Join those who believe we cannot put off any longer a very important thing that has been left undone.