The School of Communications at American University had a number of screenings of documentaries and movies from March 22 – 24 at Greenberg Theatre on Wisconsin Ave. On Friday, March 23 they showed a documentary titled, God Grew Tired of Us and had a panel discussion afterwards.
The documentary showed the lives of a group of men from Khahum who moved to Syracuse, NY to flee the war and genocide in Sudan. In the United States they are known as ‘The Lost Boy’s. The documentary included their transition to US from the plane ride to living in a home in the city, to adapting to the culture and keeping their own traditions alive at the same time. They had to learn tasks that are normal for us such as putting trash in a trash can, using a toilet, and functions of a refrigerator. They were given 3 months on government money until their Social Security cards were processed and to find a job to support themselves and they have to pay the government back for their airfare. The men found jobs but worked hard hours. One man joined Job Corp. and had to move out of the apartment into a dormitory. This separation and the amount of time they had to spend working was a difficult transition from life at home where they are close and around each other more often.
One of the men stories was followed in the most detail; his name is John Bal Dau. He speaks about God, which refers to the tile of the documentary. He stated that God was tired of us and wanted to finish us but t knowing that everything has an end. Once he is hired at a factory he gets dropped off there two hours before it opens. He got a total of three jobs in order to provide for his family and friends back home including one at McDonalds. This was difficult because even though he sent money home there were days when he would get 23 voicemail messages from home asking him for money. He sent all he could but had to keep some to be able to support himself. John wanted to go to college but put it off to support them.
A part of the documentary gave the viewer the perspective of how the Lost Boys saw the culture of the US and also how we tend to treat each other. They spoke about the way we celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus and a Christmas tree. They did not understand how those things related to the birth of Jesus. The scene shows Christmas at there home were the people march in the streets and prepare themselves spiritually by dancing and singing. They also felt we keep to ourselves instead of interacting with others they were used to going to others homes they didn’t know but in America you can’t do that. They were told not to travel in groups because people were intimated. They did not understand how we could see someone crying or sad and walk right past them not inquiring what was wrong. It also showed our ignorance when people asked them since they are Africans did they live in a forest. Adapting to this culture was difficult because they are used to being around others interacting with people they do not know but consider as apart of their family and here they are alone.
The documentary was an eye-opener to not only what the Lost Boys go through but what anyone who is not born here must feel like to be in a new place and have to start a new life adapting to a new culture. It made me want to reach out more to international students on this campus who probably feel some sense of loneliness as was portrayed in the documentary. I also had an overwhelming feeling of sadness, crying as I watched to the numbers of dead children left on the ground and as John read the letter from his parents, which said the rest of their clan was killed including members of his family and their home destroyed.
Sudan needs our help so they can say, “It is finished.” so they can have a sense of peace and not despair, unity and not separation through death and fleeing. We as Americans can make a difference John has an organization called Direct Change, Savedarfur.org is a coalition of faith and non-faith based organizations working together to fight this genocide (the executive director of this organization spoke during the panel discussion), and even on campus at American University there is a group called Darfur action that is trying to help through fundraising and lobbying including teaming up with STAND another organization fighting against genocides. Overall there are numerous organizations available to show you how you can help; so when your children read about this genocide in their history books you can say you helped to stop it.
I am leaving you now with a few words that John Bul Dau said during the discussion.
To the African American Community – “This is your calling; you have to take a lead in this.”
“Because of the media the problems of Darfur are known.”
When asked is there hope for Africa he responded, “Completely, just in a matter of time when people preserve we can overcome.”
The documentary showed the lives of a group of men from Khahum who moved to Syracuse, NY to flee the war and genocide in Sudan. In the United States they are known as ‘The Lost Boy’s. The documentary included their transition to US from the plane ride to living in a home in the city, to adapting to the culture and keeping their own traditions alive at the same time. They had to learn tasks that are normal for us such as putting trash in a trash can, using a toilet, and functions of a refrigerator. They were given 3 months on government money until their Social Security cards were processed and to find a job to support themselves and they have to pay the government back for their airfare. The men found jobs but worked hard hours. One man joined Job Corp. and had to move out of the apartment into a dormitory. This separation and the amount of time they had to spend working was a difficult transition from life at home where they are close and around each other more often.
One of the men stories was followed in the most detail; his name is John Bal Dau. He speaks about God, which refers to the tile of the documentary. He stated that God was tired of us and wanted to finish us but t knowing that everything has an end. Once he is hired at a factory he gets dropped off there two hours before it opens. He got a total of three jobs in order to provide for his family and friends back home including one at McDonalds. This was difficult because even though he sent money home there were days when he would get 23 voicemail messages from home asking him for money. He sent all he could but had to keep some to be able to support himself. John wanted to go to college but put it off to support them.
A part of the documentary gave the viewer the perspective of how the Lost Boys saw the culture of the US and also how we tend to treat each other. They spoke about the way we celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus and a Christmas tree. They did not understand how those things related to the birth of Jesus. The scene shows Christmas at there home were the people march in the streets and prepare themselves spiritually by dancing and singing. They also felt we keep to ourselves instead of interacting with others they were used to going to others homes they didn’t know but in America you can’t do that. They were told not to travel in groups because people were intimated. They did not understand how we could see someone crying or sad and walk right past them not inquiring what was wrong. It also showed our ignorance when people asked them since they are Africans did they live in a forest. Adapting to this culture was difficult because they are used to being around others interacting with people they do not know but consider as apart of their family and here they are alone.
The documentary was an eye-opener to not only what the Lost Boys go through but what anyone who is not born here must feel like to be in a new place and have to start a new life adapting to a new culture. It made me want to reach out more to international students on this campus who probably feel some sense of loneliness as was portrayed in the documentary. I also had an overwhelming feeling of sadness, crying as I watched to the numbers of dead children left on the ground and as John read the letter from his parents, which said the rest of their clan was killed including members of his family and their home destroyed.
Sudan needs our help so they can say, “It is finished.” so they can have a sense of peace and not despair, unity and not separation through death and fleeing. We as Americans can make a difference John has an organization called Direct Change, Savedarfur.org is a coalition of faith and non-faith based organizations working together to fight this genocide (the executive director of this organization spoke during the panel discussion), and even on campus at American University there is a group called Darfur action that is trying to help through fundraising and lobbying including teaming up with STAND another organization fighting against genocides. Overall there are numerous organizations available to show you how you can help; so when your children read about this genocide in their history books you can say you helped to stop it.
I am leaving you now with a few words that John Bul Dau said during the discussion.
To the African American Community – “This is your calling; you have to take a lead in this.”
“Because of the media the problems of Darfur are known.”
When asked is there hope for Africa he responded, “Completely, just in a matter of time when people preserve we can overcome.”
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