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"We Document What We Do Not Stop:" Richard Just on Darfur

I'm a bit behind in my reading, and have only just now had a chance to read Richard Just's devastating cover story in the 8/27/08 issue of the New Republic, "The Truth Will Not Set You Free: Everything we know about Darfur, and everything we're not doing about it."  

Just's essay is an extended review of ten recent books about conflict in Darfur - histories, reporting on recent diplomatic activities, and memoirs.  Although he offers a valuable review of the large and growing literature his main point, made none too subtlety, is this:

"the sheer volume of historical, anthropological, and narrative detail available to public about the genocide [in Darfur] is staggering.  In the case of genocide in Darfur, ignorance has never been possible.  But the genocide continues.  We document what we do not stop.  The truth does not set anybody free."

Just writes quite interestingly about the Save Darfur "Movement," giving it credit for sparking a new wave of activism in America and around the world.  He also offers this powerful critique of the activists (including, I suppose, our own work):

"It is not enough for a constituency demand that the government act.  It must be willing to demand that the government act in ways that will actually stop the killing.  It must be willing to support the use of power."  (Emphasis in original)

This is essential reading, especially for those like me, who thought that we understood the magnitude of the tragedy.  Just shows us exactly how wrong we were.

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