2008 Woodie Awards
RSSDarfur concert starts International Week
By Marie Murray
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: News
|
The concert featured socially-conscious rapper, Blitz The Ambassador, and showcased dancing and singing by Lehigh students.
The concert brought attention to the ethnic cleansing occurring in the Darfur region of western Sudan.
The current lines of conflict are seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation.
One side is composed mainly of the Sudanese military and the Janjaweed The other side comprises a variety of rebel groups, including the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement.
The conflict began in February 2003.
The United Nations estimates the conflict has left as many as 450,000 dead.
According to the BBC, more than two million people are a living in camps.
Attendance to the event was free, but donations to the Enough Project were accepted. The organization is dedicated to integrating advocacy and reporting on research and policy in efforts to fight genocide and mass atrocities.
Along with collecting donations at the door, the event staff sold Enough Project T-shirts, gave out Global Union buttons and provided educational packets to further inform attendees about the conflict in Darfur, Sudan and the Enough Project's mission.
Rock 4 Darfur was the first of nearly 40 events to take place on campus this week.
"The show was a two-fold program," said CalvinJohn Smiley, '08, president of the Black Student Union. "It was intended to educate as well as entertain. We didn't want to be dry and boring and have the audience tune out - we wanted to keep their attention, as well as inform.
Cameron Copeland, '08, Global Union president and coordinator of Rock 4 Darfur, said the goal of the concert and other events was to promote awareness of issues facing the international community.
"What is great about Rock 4 Darfur and International Week is the way it represents the Lehigh community and its devotion to taking part in a global dialogue," Copeland said.
