{Okay, I know this is a pretty wordy post, but I'm writing from my heart and I get wordy when I do that. Please read anyway. Thanks!}
About 3 years ago, I saw a movie that changed my life. It's not a movie I can watch again, once is enough, but if you haven't seen Hotel Rwanda, you should. It's the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of a hotel in Rwanda during the genocide in 1994. He managed to protect over a thousand refugees during the crisis. It's an extraordinary story about "an ordinary man" (the title of his autobiography.)
In the middle of the movie, Paul has a conversation with Jack, an American cameraman for a news crew that got stuck in the middle of the crisis. This conversation basically knocked the wind out of me:
Paul Rusesabagina: I am glad that you have shot this footage and that the world will see it. It is the only way we have a chance that people might intervene.
Jack: Yeah and if no one intervenes, is it still a good thing to show?
Paul Rusesabagina: How can they not intervene when they witness such atrocities?
Jack: I think if people see this footage they'll say, "oh my God that's horrible," and then go on eating their dinners.
And then go on eating their dinners That line has stuck with me ever since. I don't want to be that way. I don't want America to be that way. But there are so many atrocities happening today: the Congo, Darfur, the Gaza Strip, the list could go on if I were more informed... It seems like the problems are so horrible and the solutions so unattainable, that it's easier to just ignore it and go on eating our dinner.
But there are ways to do something. Sure they may be small and seem insignificant, but collectively it can make a difference. I personally don't have a great idea that can bring peace to the Mid-East, but I do know of organizations (MCC and World Vision) that are working there (and in Africa) and I trust their judgment. Perhaps you have your own favorite organizations that you trust. Many of these organizations have avenues to advocacy on their websites, such as sample letters to representatives in Congress (very helpful, because I sure wouldn't know what to write myself), petitions to sign, or they might endorse other advocacy campaigns, such as the ONE Campaign, which is supported by both MCC and World Vision and numerous other faith groups, secular groups, justice groups and relief groups.
But here's my challenge for you this week: Feb 12th is Red Hand Day. From their website "The goal of Red Hand Day is to raise global awareness of the plight of child soldiers through public protests, demonstrations and other activities. The Red Hand symbol, has been used all over the world by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and many civil society organizations to say no to the recruitment and use of child soldiers."
Now, I'm not asking you to grab a sign, put on an angry face and go chant at some government building until you are arrested; I'm just asking you to get your hands dirty. The Red Hand Campaign is asking people to send their red hand prints to them, and on Feb 12, they want to deliver 1 million red hands to the UN. What impact will 1 million red hands have? The UN has already forbidden the use of child soldiers, yet children continue to be forced to fight. Again, from the website, "The collective aim of this global campaign: To impress the responsible persons in New York with the huge numbers of red hands and so force them to act!"
This is something you can do as an individual, but it is also a great activity for a small group, church, school, friends or co-workers to do together. Just paint your hand red (have some washcloths or paper towels handy) and stamp it on a piece of paper. Write your name and your town on the paper and send it (after it dries) to:
Red Hand Campaign
c/o HRW
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118
If you want to learn more about the project, check out their website. And if you do send in your handprint, please let me know and share any stories you have from it. I already got my boys to give their hands (that's Charlie's hand in the picture), and I hope to do it with my small group from church next week.
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