Justice for all

**Please forgive me for interrupting the Be the Change series — back to your regularly scheduled programming soon!

I’m taking an absolutely amazing class right now about Sudan, human rights, and US foreign policy. It has been so illuminating and challenging - it’s actually taught by the former Special Envoy, which is pretty amazing (sometimes I love Northwestern!). We’re reading amazing books, like Emma’s War which really traces the history of the Sudanese civil war beforehand, as well as talks about the moral difficulties encountered with humanitarian aid. I also am reading Darfur: A new history of a long war by the experts Julie Flint and Alex de Waal. We also have books by Paul Rusesabagina and Halima Bashir scheduled. Any activist needs to get ahold of these books. This is the kind of class that makes college worth it.

Truth be told, I barely understood the intricacies and nuances of what was going on in the region before I took the class (not that I understand it completely now, since I’m no expert on the topic, but I do have a much better sense). I mostly knew what was spewed out by Western media and by NGOs like Save Darfur – which is not really that illuminating, to be honest. I think it really speaks to how problematic Save Darfur and other advocacy groups like the Enough Project have been. If you think about it, Darfur is so well known that the conflict is now practically a household name in the US (not in a good way, of course), but how many of you can really tell me about the history of Darfur, and what’s happening there? The advocacy movement has been so successful at getting people to have a basic awareness of the issue — but that’s it. It stops there. It’s a basic understanding, not a deep one. I feel the issues in the region are so complex (and reading all these books has really drilled that into my mind - how Sudan is a place of so many divisions not simply based on ethnicity and religion, but also on economic development, presence of natural resources, culture, tribe and clan, and so much more.)  that it’s hard for any advocacy group to actually get people to understand that.

What worries me more, though, after thinking about is whether the movement for Darfur has done any good. What’s come out of it? Sure, the Obama administration has issued it’s new Sudan policy, but it seems like Obama thus far is doing even less than Bush had done (um, makes me wonder about the whole ‘Peace Prize’ thing)! The Bush administration actually had successful Darfur foreign policy - they played a primary role in negotiating the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the North and the South. I am doubtful about what’s going to happen with the Obama administration, but thus far Obama hasn’t proven foreign policy to be his strong point. Basically, it’s extremely difficult to change policy. I am also concerned because this is a movement for Sudan from America…not Sudan. Do we, as Americans, understand the best solutions to this conflict? Are we consulting with Sudanese people or at least, African people who know about the issue? So much money and effort and time has been generated for this cause. Has it been an effective movement? If not, what can be done better?

I’m also concerned about the 2011 referendum that’s coming up, where the South can vote to secede from Sudan altogether. Uh, considering the current government in Khartoum, I’m pretty sure the South’s going to want to secede. But it’s not all fun and games from here on out. The truth is, the South is pretty brutally divided amongst various groups as well. The SPLA often doesn’t have the full support of the South, and there have been horrific divisions and conflicts between various Southern tribes  (Nuer, Dinka, etc). Moreover, Khartoum definitely won’t be giving up the regions - many of them in the South or around the North/South border - because of significant oil in those areas. I was really happy to see, that in Obama’s Sudan policy there has been increased focus on mending the North-South divide. I really think that at all costs, civil war has to be prevented in the area — otherwise the referendum could incite horrific violence again. Read this good quote, from the awesome, new War and Peace blog on Change.org:

“The central regions located between the north and south including Abyei, Southern Kordofan, and the Blue Nile are still unstable while resting on disputed oil fields. And the minority tribes allegedly allied to the north who live in the south still tend to hold vendettas against their southern-allied neighbors, this is within Malakal, Jonglei, and elsewhere. So if, hypothetically, the south becomes independent, the defining of the border and oil field divisions will be an extremely delicate, if not bloody decades-long process. “

These are just a few of my rambling thoughts on the issue. Ultimately, I’m just wondering whether the activist movement has been effective at all. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around activism and lobbying — it totally scares me that despite SO much popular mobilization, the result might not be effective. But ultimately what the U.S. does IS going to be extremely significant. Our stance on foreign policy towards Darfur can definitely solve the crisis.

The question is: what’s our stance? And how can the activist movement be more effective in getting the U.S. to take the best possible stance and actions to deal with the conflict? No doubt, it’s a hard question, but it’s one we have to think critically about if change is going to occur.

Oh, and just for laughs, check this out. Al-Bashir himself has gotten social media savvy and set up his own website: Albashir.sd. What’s next, a blog?!

Today, President Obama spoke to Africans in his speech to the Ghanaian Parliament. Before reading, I was kept in anticipation, exciting to hear the new vision of our President with regards to Africa. I was excited, especially, after the revelations in his Cairo speech - and I hoped that he would bring a fresh perspective to America’s foreign policy to Africa in his remarks.

Certainly, I was inspired. But, I have to agree with Texas in Africa, who states:

The speech was not surprising and not particularly interesting in that it contained nothing new beyond the reflections of an American president who has a Kenyan father. Obama’s speech presented the same line that American leaders have been delivering to African states since the end of the Cold War: be democratic, stop being corrupt, embrace market capitalism, stop fighting with one another, and we’ll help you deal with disease.

Unfortunately, this is true. Obama spoke about things we all know by now about Africa; he focused on democracy, economic growth, public health, and conflict. But here’s the thing: most people know the challenges facing Africa right now. The media tells the American people over and over again about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, about the genocide in Darfur, about the lack of economic growth and business opportunities in Africa, about poverty, and about dictatorship. He talks about Zimbabwe, pirates in Somalia, Kenya and post-election violence, and South Africa. We’ve heard of these conflicts and problems a million times. What about countries he didn’t mention? There is the conflict in northern Uganda and DRC and CAR, the intervention of the ICC in various countries, and countless other countries with their own stories to tell. But, he doesn’t mention these. Perhaps it’s too much to mention in one speech, but I still think there is more to be said.

Obama didn’t do much to go beyond these common conceptions of Africa. There was nothing new in terms of US relations with African countries, and nothing much said about the new way forward. What is America going to do, other than provide foreign aid? Obama does allude to these facts - that the West is not wholly responsible for the problems in Africa although often blamed for drawing inappropriate colonial boundaries - that Africans must step up and take charge of their continent’s future - and that we will support innovation and technology for African farmers. This is good, but I wish there was a greater redefinition of America’s attitude towards African countries. There was not enough said about what we can do to help.

One thing I did like was his focus on corruption. Corruption, certainly, is a serious problem and I feel that Obama is right in acknowledging this. Corruption is an enormous problem that often isn’t emphasized by the international community. But the reality is this: according to the World Bank - a conservative estimate of bribes paid worldwide (including developed and developing countries) - the “cost of corruption” is essentially 1 trillion US dollars. Not a measly sum by any measures.

As a result, one of my favorite parts of the speech was when he emphasized good governance and rule of law - and the need to end corruption - from state heads and CEOs to the everyday police officer:

This is about more than just holding elections. It’s also about what happens between elections. Repression can take many forms, and too many nations, even those that have elections, are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves or if police — if police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there. And now is the time for that style of governance to end.

This, I have to say, was truly inspring. Perhaps it’s especially because this summer, I’m working for an organization working to end torture and corruption by prison officials and police through appropriate training. It’s inspiring to me to see one component of our work - which I believe to be so important - to be pointed out by Obama. Along with just mentioning the cost of corruption, I hope Obama implements policies and supports initiatives working to stop this.

At the very least, I hope his speech touched thousands of Ghanaians and inspired people around the world. I hope it educated those who know less about the problems facing Africa. Though I’m not one to criticize, I do at the same time hope that our President will take more prompt action to change things and implement more concrete initatives to benefit the continent. What are your thoughts?

I can feel it in the air. There’s something electric out there, something new and exciting. I see it all around me - and it gives me a sense of hope. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like right now we’re experiencing a fundamental shift in the way the world works and the way people do things. More and more people - especially young people - are finding service-oriented careers more attractive. It seems to me that although there’s constantly negative talk in the media about the state of the world, there is actually a seismic shift underway. It’s just up to us to recognize it - and join in. Here’s why and how the world is changing:

The election of President Obama

This shift accelerated greatly around the election of President Obama. He mobilized young people to support him at unprecedented levels - and at a time (after President Bush’s time in office) at which people had very little reason to believe in politics, and every reason to be disillusioned. This was not only an impressive feat on his part, but he caused young people to begin having more faith in their country and democracy. He reduced cynicism and provided people with hope and inspiration. His election caused young people to think that just by voting, they could make a difference: their voice was being heard, and even one person could make an impact. Moreover, Obama has made public service cool. More and more students are considered community organizing as a viable profession after college - no doubt inspired by President Obama’s own experiences. After his election, more people are going into government and public sector jobs as well, especially as he has created so many new ones.

Graduate schools of government and public policy are seeing a surge of applications. “The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration found that 82 percent reported an increase in applications this year, and many saw the largest percentage jumps in several years, or ever. The most-cited reason was the expectation by students that government will be hiring.”

President Obama’s election is a resounding “endorsement of government activism” - which has pretty amazing implications for the career choices of our country’s future leaders.

The financial crisis and recession

When the economy recently tanked, the financial crisis was widely hailed as the “end of capitalism.” I doubt capitalism is going to end anytime soon, but going into finance is sure a lot less attractive for fresh graduates. Not only is the industry a mess due to the subprime crisis, but bankers and Wall Street are constantly being attacked now for their greed and mismanagement of the economy. Finance is no longer prestigious; in fact, it’s looked down upon. Making money at any cost is just not cool anymore. And at the same time, job prospects at top Wall Street firms are dwindling, making even business majors consider alternative careers.

Of course, a tough economy helps attract people to professions they might not have otherwise considered, as does a crusading time when Wall Street has become a symbol of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility.

So, with society beginning to turn away from six-figure finance and consulting jobs, more and more young people will be looking at public service, government, the sciences, and teaching, according to the NYTimes. Business students with work experience at top investment banks are now considering programs like Teach for America, starting jazz clubs, or even becoming rabbis. If nothing else, this shows that times are changing.

The increasing popularity of social enterprise

Social entrepreneurship: it’s the ultimate mix of for profit and non profit. Social businesses are like regular businesses, except they often have a “triple bottom line” - profit, social objectives, and environmental objectives. The advent of social enterprise has created the “thoroughly modern do-gooder.”

Earlier generations of benefactors thought that social service should be like sainthood or socialism. But this one thinks it should be like venture capital.

The days of just “charity” are over. Instead, entrepreneurs are tackling some of the toughest social problems in intelligent, innovative ways - and sometimes even making money while they’re at it. Doing good has become cool. Applying solid business principles to problems like poverty or discrimination makes organizations working towards these goals even more sustainable; while charities had to rely on donations and fundraising, social enterprises can become self sustainable. Social enterprise is getting some of the most intelligent people out there interested in “doing good.” The movement has been pushed forward by the likes of Bill Drayton of Ashoka, Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank, and organizations like the Skoll Foundation and Echoing Green, among many others. Every day, more and more social innovation competitions pop up, aiming up help budding social entrepreneurs. Never has the idea of social business been so popular and enticing - people, we’re seeing a movement forming before our eyes.

Everything’s going digital

With the advent of social media and Web 2.0 technologies, it’s becoming more and more easy to get your voice heard online. Online media makes it simple to blog about your views and spread the word through platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Social media reduces some of the biases of “old” news media and democratizes the news. News is now something coming from the people. You go to Twitter and read blogs to learn about the latest issues, rather than picking up a newspaper.

This is vital for social change since it allows deserving lesser known causes and voices to be heard. Like the execution of Delara Darabi, which new media reported but old media ignored. There are also so many blogs about the latest development of technology and innovation in Africa, issues which are largely ignored by the western media. These are just a couple of examples, but they are powerful. Social media also provides a new way to advocate for causes through exciting new marketing techniques.

Finally, in the context of repressive regimes, we are hearing more and more news from bloggers in countries where basic freedom of speech is often restricted. This offers us an unprecedented chance to learn what is really happening under some of the most oppressive dictatorships in the world - firsthand viewpoints of issues that the mainstream media have difficulty gaining information on. Social media is giving these people a voice, where previously they wouldn’t have one. Social media is driving forward social change.

So here’s the thing: all this change - and much much more - is happening right now, at this very moment. Everything I’ve mentioned is pretty common knowledge - but the thing is, all these factors are interrelated and together are creating a movement for social change. It’s a powerful feeling to imagine the positive change that’s occurring around the world, and I believe we’re living at a historic time. So are you ready for this? And are you going to join in?

Obama hasn’t even been President for two days, and he’s already changing the country, giving America a new face. A kinder and more benevolent face - one that says we are fair, just, and honest. He’s begun his presidency with something most human rights activists hoped for with their fists clenched and their breath ragged. And now, not only will activists around the world be taking a deep breath and exhaling - perhaps even jumping up and down, popping a bottle of champagne, or writing a blog - but the world will begin to give us more approving glances.

Obama has kept true to his promise, and today he signed executive orders directing the C.I.A. to shut down its remaining secret prisons - and to close down the Guantánamo Bay detention center within one year. This is incredible; not only have NGOs like Amnesty International, the ACLU, and Human Rights Watch worked tirelessly towards this goal — beyond simply closing Guantanamo, they hoped that ending America’s flagrant disregard of human rights would be the first thing that our new President would do. And I, I remained cynical – wondering if it would indeed be first on his agenda.

But he has happily surprised me and many others I’m sure. Obama gets it. He realizes that we are campaigning not only for the rights of the detainees, many of them innocents caught up in violence and at the least, undeserving of the torture and humiliation they have faced. No, people are campaigning because Guantanamo Bay has become a symbol of America’s cruelty and utter disregard for our own constitution, that which has always been seen as representative of Freedom, Liberty, and Opportunity. Obama realizes that with a swift stroke of the pen, he can restore some of America’s good reputation in the world. And he can set the tone for his Presidency; he can set high standards for himself. He’s already closed Guantanamo on day one, and we can only expect an uphill journey from here.

But amidst the celebration, there is much left to be done. President Obama has halted the unconstitutional military commissions taking place in Guantanamo by ordering a 120-day suspension.

He has postponed some of the most important decisions to be made for 6 months. He knows its time to close the prison, but still seems uncertain what is to be done with the detainees.

“There are … ambiguities in the orders regarding treatment of certain detainees that could either be the result of the swiftness with which these orders were issued or ambivalence within the Obama administration. We are hopeful that as the process unfolds and gets clarified, there will be no doubt that detainees must either be charged, prosecuted and convicted or they need to be released,” – Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director

Right now? It’s all still a bit of a mess. Some prisoners are to be transferred back to their home countries to be tried - how can we guarantee that they will not suffer torture again in foreign prisons? And what about those deemed to ‘dangerous’ to even try in American courts? Or those who cannot be brought to trial for fear of revealing intelligence secrets? And for those who were tortured, humiliated in Guantanamo - what is to be done with them? If we are to be fair, we cannot admit their tainted guilty pleas, their bloodstained testimonies. We have to think of new solutions, be creative, and solve this problem quickly.

Obama has made his symbolic move, and found a way to garner quick praise. But time well tell whether this symbol will transform into substance. I respect him immensely for this single act — but I’ll respect him all the more if he can untangle the mess Bush left for us.

6 months? President Obama: I say we can do it faster. Let’s make it happen.

So yes – I’m jumping on the election bandwagon too. To be honest I rarely state my opinions – in public – because I am quite afraid of being shot down by someone more experienced and knowledgeable than me. I dislike debate and argument and prefer to remain meek and silent. But it seems a shame not to reflect on the history that has been happening all around us over the past few days, that has been enveloping us as a living, breathing entity. Something tangible we are a part of - a movement greater than ourselves - something to change the course of history altogether. Today has been an amazing day – the dawn of a new era with change in the air – if I’m not being too grand. I must say that I was – like so many other young Americans out there – so very proud of my country for electing President Obama to the White House! When I listened to his victory speech at about 6:00 in the am, I was shaken not by how majestic his words were – but more at the humility in his voice, and the sober acknowledgments he made about the future. I was glad to hear him take in reality, and also emphasize the steep road ahead of him. Still, it made me incredibly proud of America when I saw how Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia – all turned to Obama. It made me incredibly proud, though I am in England, to think of how young people across the country showed up to vote, take a stake in the political process, and make our democracy a reality again. It made me extremely inspired to think of how Obama has mobilized the youngest generation – perhaps in the past the most disillusioned and apathetic regarding politics – to play an active role in their country’s future, and become hopeful and even wildly optimistic about our country’s future. I am most impressed with Obama’s tremendous charisma and strength, and his persuasive power when it comes to making people believe in politics – something that has failed the people over and over again – in a time when our country is in utter economic disarray. If Obama can inspire people to believe in a failed institution like politics at a time of such crisis, I am confident he can accomplish so much more. Yes, I was a Clinton supporter, but I wholeheartedly embraced the Obama campaign when I saw how much he inspired people – and inspired me. I love our country’s democracy and last night made me believe in it – all over again

I am incredibly excited for the future of our country, because I know that whatever change Obama makes – it will be better than anything that we would experience under John McCain. I know that doesn’t sound very substantial, but I feel that it is important to also keep our expectations from soaring wildly out of control – before we pin way too many hopes on one political figure and perhaps, become disappointed. At the same time, words are not enough. I do hope that Obama does begin to act – the right way, the right time. There are so many things that need to be done to put our country together, and I hope he knows where to begin. I hope he begins now and does not delay action and “change” any longer. We need his strong leadership, when the entire world is waiting on America’s next move. Something that is key to me is the way we are viewed by the international community. America has been on the decline internationally, and we have been accumulating nothing but negativity and dislike in other countries. Having been in the UK and speaking to young people from all across Europe, I am seeing firsthand how much our reputation is suffering (rightly) in the eyes of other nations. There is so much to be changed if we can renew the faiths of countries across the globe in the U.S. We have so much power, and it cannot be abused. Electing Obama has been a first step in repairing our tarnished reputation – but Obama has to take this forward.

I will not reiterate the main issues – economy, politics in Washington, health care. We have all heard about these issues time and time again throughout this election. But I would like to say a few words about things I care about. It was a promise on his behalf, and I hope Pres. Obama will stick to it and close down Guantanamo Bay very soon. He needs to act quickly because prisoners have been languishing in that hell hole – some without even being told why they were arrested – in a gross violation of their rights for over 5 years. I know there are so many more pressing issues, such as the economic crisis, but this is something that we need to act on to show our leadership in the world, and to free those who are innocent. It is imperative that Pres. Obama transfer the prisoners either to be tried in their home countries if they will not be in danger, or to be tried within the U.S. federal court system. Some have argued that this is dangerous, but the truth is that the federal courts are the only courts well equipped to provide fair trials to these detainees. The CSRT military tribunals currently in place at Guantanamo are complete failures when it comes to guaranteeing a fair trial. Prisoners are not guaranteed counsel, often are not even told what they are charged with, and often are unable to assert their innocence because they lack the resources to collect evidence themselves! This makes a joke out of the American judicial system, and Pres. Obama must take moves to close it down once and for all. If you were stuck in a prison for 6 years – from the age of 15 to 21 – would you want to wait another day? The short answer is no.

Another thing I hope that Obama remedies as a president is the U.S.’s position with regards to the International Criminal Court. Our policy with the ICC is absolutely shameful – we are only of the only 7 nations to vote against the Rome Statute of the ICC in 1998. Our policy aligns us with countries like China, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar, and Israel – the only others not to ratify this treaty. Our closest allies all support the ICC, and we must join in to give it full force. Although Clinton signed it, Bush reversed this policy. The U.S. (esp. Pres. Bush) has been against the ICC due to fears that the ICC might conduct politically motivated investigations and prosecutions of U.S. officials. These fears have absolutely no basis because the ICC investigates only the most serious genocides and war crimes; it has a very detailed mechanisms with checks and balances to ensure against politically motivated cases. I won’t go into it, but it is quite sure that the ICC would not indict a U.S. official without a great deal of accurate evidence and without approval from a panel of judges. The ICC does not try cases unless a national government refuses to investigate an issue, as well. The Bush administration has also been trying to get other countries to sign agreements requiring them not to surrender American nationals to the ICC, which effectively exempt U.S. nationals from ICC jurisdiction. This is clearly something that needs to be changed, if the ICC is to be able to exercise its power fairly and indiscriminately. If the U.S. is to be an international leader in democracy and freedom, it cannot continue to promote impunity for the most serious crimes, and oppose one of the most important human rights institutions in the world. If the U.S. is to criticize other countries for their human rights violations, we cannot continue to take a hypocritical stance against human rights and civil liberties. Our policies with the ICC and Guantanamo tarnish our credibility as a champion of human rights and justice. Where is the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for all the detainees in Guantanamo? Pres. Obama must work to change these policies, so we can finally be a role model and live up to our constitution in providing our people with liberty and justice – for all.

I’ll end with a few inspiring quotes from his victory speech in Grant Park because he can say it better than I could ever dream of (All my classmates back at NU – I am so jealous that you were in the midst of all this action, excitement, energy – and some of you even had the chance to go to Grant Park. I wish I was there!). I hope sincerely he lives up to his words – and I wish him incredible luck in his journey over the next four (maybe eight!) years

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

Yes we can!