Leran's Post-Graduation Update

First of a few videos. Quality sucks, but I hope it works.

An Update to Gray: Life in Technicolor

Lately I’ve been thinking about a blog entry I wrote over a year ago simply called Gray. While I still very much identify the powerful emotions attributed to that piece, I wanted to offer a new interpretation to the vivid colors of life.

I began thinking about this idea when I was in Washington, D.C. over the summer. As I was leaving for DC I had pre-ordered Coldplay’s new album, Viva La Vida, and the soundtrack of my summer was dominated by that album. "Life in Technicolor", the album’s first song, seemed to be my song for the summer. The original, which is featured on the album, was an instrumental piece that has a very positive beat to it with troubled yet optimistic tone to it. It felt to me as the perfect way to both prepare for my day in a big often lonely city and wind down or reflect on the work of combating genocide.

As I’ve reflect more on this song and the ideas of my previous writings, I’ve come to the conclusion: life is the pursuit of color. When we’re born we are overloaded with color. Everything is new to us, nothing contains our curiosity and the world is filled with new things to explore. As we grow gray begins to enter our lives.

For me gray was the fact that my family history contains that great gray of human, the gray of genocide. The gray of the Holocaust mixed with its bastardized red of the Nazi flag and yellow of the Stars of David used to mark the soon to be dehumanized Jewish masses in occupied Europe. Or the deep dark grays left in my heart after my dad was taken away from me at the age eleven by an early and unexpected death. Or the grayness of modern day genocide mixed with the green of our hopes and the multicolored vibrant garb of many of its unnecessary victims.

In a more general sense gray is the day to day hardships we all endure. From as simple as home or fitting in at school or work to as difficult as making ends meet or watching a loved one slowly deteriorate because of a terminal illness. Gray fills our lives and we do our best to add color.

We all know and lament many of the unhealthy ways many take to adding color to their lives. Consumerism, drugs, alcohol and abuses of power are all ways to fight off gray or to add some type of color to our otherwise dark lives.

Fortunately we all also experience the rich color of life in all its positive and natural forms. While there are some nearly universal examples, I think the reason for color is a very personal and unique thing for all of us.

My blessing and my curse is that while I continue to pursue color like everyone else, I constantly see the gray of life. I believe we all should see some gray though for that is the blessing and curse of all those who consider themselves socially conscious. As we gain color in our lives we must remember that many live lives of gray and we have an immense power to bring color to the lives of others. Maya Angelou when she spoke at UT said, “We are all and can be rainbows in the clouds of others.”

For me I see the gray that drives me to activism, but those surrounding me: my friends, my family and that rich network of fellow activists all contribute to the wonderful color of my life. Perhaps this is true for many people, but I feel that my life has slowly gained its color from the gray of my adolescence. As I have gained more insight into my chosen path in life and I have surrounded myself with those supportive of that path, they have colored my life.

This summer when I first was exposed to “Life in Technicolor” my life was rich in color, but optimistically yet somberly my life was only filled with Technicolor type richness. About five months later with the friends I gained this summer, the reflection that comes with graduation, I see that the intensity and vibrancy of my life has increased. This is thanks again to my friends and to the work I have dedicated myself too.

I also credit this to a recent friend, someone who has quickly captured my heart in the short time I’ve known her. You see when Coldplay first released “Life in Technicolor” they shortened it and left out words they had written to accompany the instrumental. Just a few weeks ago they release a new EP: Prospekt’s March with the song “Life in Technicolor II” including the omitted lyrics with an extended instrumental. Around the same time, a wave of color entered my life by name of Allison. As cheesy as it is, she is the lyrics missing from the song.

When I used to listen to “Life in Technicolor” this summer it gave me a sense that my life was colorful and things were on their way to where I want them, but perhaps it was the city of DC or perhaps it was just my past of grayness: something felt missing. Now it truly feels as if both the song and the color of my life are nearly complete. As Chris Martin sings:

Oh love don't let me go
Won't you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
I could hear the sirens sound
Now my feet won't touch the ground

I can still see the gray and I still very much live it, but color is very much part of my life. To everyone who may be reading this: “Oh love don’t let me go”

To my family: Thank you for helping me survive the gray. I know the loss of Abba was not easy for any of us and we all were filled with grayness. Somehow we all made it through and as the youngest, I hope I helped bring color to your lives, but I will forever be indebted for all of your attempts at preserving what color this angst ridden, scared, lost pre-teen had when his father passed away.

To my friends: Thank you for bringing color into my life and giving me the Technicolor life needed to survive. I have gained strength from knowing all of you from those who helped me make it through the awful years of middle school to those that road with me in the rollercoaster of high school and finally to the ones who joined me in journey of college and especially to the ones I met while on that journey.

To Allison: We both acknowledge how crazy we are to feel so connected so quickly, but thank you so much of being someone who understands grayness both from personal pain and by identifying the darkness in the world. I know I’ve said this often, but I really hope that what we have continues to blossom and help us see the true color of life. We both come from different shades of gray, both unsettling in their way and independently we had begun to gain color in our individual lives. Together it feels as the color that people with happier histories and more ideal lives can only dream of having, we have obtained. I cannot thank you enough for this gift of color and for adding rich lyrics to the music I had been listening to for quite some time.

"Nothing could be better
And nothing ever was"
-Coldplay's "Glass of Water"

From Hope To Action

On Friday hundreds of anti-genocide activists will be gathering at the national mall in Washington, D.C. to lobby Barack Obama’s presidential transition team. While many among this crowd supported Obama in Tuesday’s election, they all have recognized one important truth: politics happens every day. They will be lobbying his team less than 72 hours after his victory in order to turn the slogan “Yes We Can” into “Yes We Will” and “Yes We Have”.


Regardless of whom you supported and what issues are most important to you now is the time to put the election behind us and move forward together in improving the country. Supporters of Obama believe that the hope of Obama’s campaign can translate into a stronger economy, a more peaceful foreign policy and an overall healthier society. Although opponents of Obama may have different tactics, their goals are roughly the same. Our votes have been cast and whether our candidate won or lost, we can continue to fight the good fight in strengthening America.


For thousands of activists including myself, bringing about an end to genocide is a critical goal that the new administration must commit itself to. For others it may be healthcare, the economy, college education and many other important causes of our time. Whatever it may be we have a new congress and a new president and we must make our voice heard. We must transform the hope the majority of Americans hold out for the next four years into tangible action and results.


In his victory speech, Obama said that, ”above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.” I would echo and change this as now we must advocate letter by letter, call by call and tough debate by tough debate.


Both John McCain and Barack Obama spoke passionately about the need to end genocide in Darfur and beyond. The President-Elect cannot make this a priority alone. We must raise our voices and do the political groundwork so that his feet are held to the fire and his actions have strength. Without our persistent voices on the issues we each care about, our elected officials including our president are easily led into false direction. I agree with many in believing that Barack Obama will be able to accomplish many of his goals as president, but he needs OUR help.


Democrat or Republican, it is time to take our message to our officials at all levels. Both those officials who we supported and those we did not. Whether you join with me to fight genocide or push for a greener world or for whatever you may be compelled to support, I urge you to unite, organize and advocate. The results are in, the election has ended and there is a lot to do.


In the words of President Josiah Bartlett, my favorite fictional president from The West Wing: “break's over”.

Idealism is a mix of pragmatism, optimism and hope

Perhaps I have been watching too much West Wing lately. I know I’ve always been classified as an idealist and the fictional world of the television series has done little to change this perspective. For those who are rusty on this show or never caught onto the craze, let me explain what I’m talking about. President Bartlett and his staff are confronted with serious world issues such as preventing war between China and Taiwan or dealing with U.S. agent captured by Columbian rebels.

The reason this has been on my mind is that on Monday the chief prosecutor of International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced that he would be asking the judges at the Hague to issue an indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for ten counts including three counts of genocide.

In response two major things have happened:

1) The National Congress Party has threatened an increase of violence if the pursuit for an indictment of Bashir continues.

For a government that claims to no longer be directly connected to the operations of the Janjaweed militia directly responsible for the acts of murder and to rhetorically claim to be committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the Darfur crisis, this seems to be an awfully contradictory statement. Roughly translated the National Congress Party stated, “We are innocent, but if efforts to indict our leader continue, we will increase the violence. Did we say increase… well we’re innocent!”

This tacit admission of guilt is not what shocks me the most, but that such a statement is responded to with vague, weak calls for “sides to remain calm in the wake of this decision” (White Press Secretary Dana Perino).

2) The United Nations African United Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has decided to relocate non-essential personnel temporarily in response to the greater security risk in Darfur.

I cannot express the respect I have for the individuals who have volunteered to join this unprecedented peace keeping force. Risking your life to serve your country is admirable, but risking your life to protect civilians in another country for the cause of peace, transcending national allegiance, is beyond heroic.

Therefore after some thought I respect the decision of the United Nations to relocate non-essentials in the aftermath of last week’s attack on UNAMID forces resulting in the death of seven peacekeepers, but I still have to disagree with it. Regarding the current situation, more must be done to protect and equip the current peacekeepers while boosting the overall number of peacekeepers.

The danger these brave soldiers are in is alarming, but in the face of security risks and threats after Monday’s ICC announcement now is not the time to weaken the already undermanned and underequipped force with the withdrawal of personnel. A strong presence needs to be maintained to attempt to ward office further violence against the civilians of Darfur and the peacekeepers themselves. The relocation may be seen as a sign that when the big bad NCP wolf blows, the United Nations house is built of sticks not bricks.

My mention of the West Wing is not to argue that things can be wrapped neatly as they would be in a 45 minute episode of a fictional work, but to express the disappointment that when a clear victory for both peace AND justice is accomplished world leaders cannot even muster the conviction to do what is needed in stark contrast of a fictional character. In the West Wing, episodes often ended with President Bartlett or a member of his staff making a strong statement eloquently and passionately expressing both morality and pragmatism.

I believe idealism can be a mix of pragmatism, optimism and hope.

Thus far the only world leader to make a statement in support of Mr. Moreno-Ocampo’s work was the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner along the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The lack of accompanying strong statements by other world leaders has been due to the argument of a handful of experts who believe they have a monopoly on pragmatism. These critics argue that Bashir and the NCP will become increasingly uncooperative if the call for an indictment continues which may in turn jeopardize peacekeeping, humanitarian and diplomatic operations in Darfur.

I agree with John Norris of the ENOUGH Project who said, “with more than 300,000 dead and millions displaced in Darfur, it is shocking that these charges are even remotely controversial. President Bashir has orchestrated the Darfur tragedy from day one, and any efforts to sweep his actions under the rug are both shameful and counterproductive.”

The international community is quickly losing an opportunity to turn the tide and earnestly work toward peace in Darfur AND justice for the crime of genocide. The idealistic pursuit of justice can and must work hand in hand with the pragmatic pursuit of negotiated peace. For justice to mean anything the international community must support the work of the chief prosecutor. Despite the fact that the United States has not signed onto or ratified the ICC, President Bush must show his support for justice in Sudan in order to preserve the work his administration has done on Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the effort to achieve Darfur peace.

By stepping up in support of justice, the pressure will be placed squarely on where pressure is deserved, President Bashir. He will then have the choice to cooperate with peace or suffer further isolation both internationally and domestically as his direct involvement in the genocide is further revealed. If obstructionism continues, Sudan will become even more of a pariah state leaving the people of Sudan to decide: violence and isolation with Bashir or peace and international acceptance without him.

If the international community continues to send mixed messages, back peddle and appease the work of Moreno-Ocampo will mean nothing, Bashir will go on orchestrating mass murder with impunity. The situation may not be quite as ideal as what may be seen in an episode of the West Wing, but we’ve been presented with a turning point and must seize the opportunity.

If we want peace, we need justice.

Reflection

Tonight I was part of something truly and profoundly remarkable. While I engaged in this same activity roughly a year ago, it took my second trip through this experience to come to the realization I would like to share with you now.

Tonight I joined 150 of my fellow University of Texas students in the tedious, unglamorous and occasionally painful experience of preparing ten thousand white roses to be distributed tomorrow across the University campus. On face value there is a certain level of incredibility to this evening. 150 students coming together on Wednesday night in a town and a campus with near infinite choices of how to spend one’s night ranging from a studious night in the library to a wild night downtown to prepare roses for of all things: Holocaust remembrance.

While I might shrug this unbelievable event and chalk this success up to the advertised free t-shirt, free pizza and for those who desired: volunteer credit, this I believe would not do this phenomenon justice. Tonight, these peers of mine decided to spend an hour, two hours or for many the entire four hours to preparing roses. Many of these individuals have excitedly committed either before or after this evening that they will join many others to assist in passing out these prepared roses to go above and beyond their free t-shirt, free pizza or their required volunteer credit.

Why? Why have my closest friends at this school organize people I have known for years and people I have never met and may never really get to know decide to spend anywhere from one hour to twelve hours to months on a relatively thankless, tedious, unglamorous and occasionally painful experience in preparing roses for an oft depressing topic of genocide?

My answer: hope.

I am a leader of the White Rose Society, the group who has spent months planning tonight’s event, and last year’s event and the two years before that. We are an ever growing yet continually small group of students dedicated to eradicating genocide by working on promoting awareness, advocacy and aide on and around our campus. We work tireless with varying levels of success alongside tens of thousands activist around the world who are directly, indirectly and in most cases not at all affected by the crime they work to end.

Again I wonder why? Why do I, my friends and all these other people, many of which have no direct connection to the horrors of genocide decide to lose sleep, forget to eat and face challenges continue to fight strongly against genocide? Why do we activist continue to fight on even though the current genocide in Darfur rages onto it’s sixth with minimal progress made and prospects for Darfur as grim as ever?

My answer, again, is hope… and a certain degree of stubborn tenacity that endears me all the more to the activist mentality.

We tend to get wrapped up in the numbers. 6,000,000 Jews perished in the Holocaust among 3,000,000 other victims. Anywhere between 200,000 and 450,000 Darfuris have been murdered in the last five years. UNAMID is supposed to have 26,000 troops, but only has 9,000. We have pulled out 500,000,000 dollars from Texas pension fund money that used to fund the genocide. We have 200 members, we have 1,000 petition signatures, we have raises 200 dollars this week.

When we want we chose to focus elsewhere, we ask about politics. Did you hear what Barack Obama said? How about Hillary Clinton? Did your representative vote for the Sudan Accountability Divestment Act? Is the UT System ever going to divest? Will President Bush stick to his promises? Can we do more to pressure China?

Sometimes we decided to point the finger. The United States should do more. China is evading the issue. Omar Al-Bashir is playing his games. The rebel groups are bad guys too. The United Nations is ineffective. The African Union is too new and too inexperienced.

We can and many times we should use numbers to help understand the situation and to gauge progress. We can and many times we should discuss politics in order to search for solution and bring these solutions to fruition. We can and many times we should look to where the breakdown is and who is responsible for delaying progress.

What we lose in this process is the two simple and stark realities. The first: people are dying. The second: an unprecedented amount of people have chosen to care and do something about it. Numbers matter, politics matter and people are to blame. We have divested, recruited and counted the dead. We have politicked and lobbied. We have as academically, as journalist and as activist pointed the finger and have discussed in both overly simple and overly complex terms: who is the “bad-guy” we should all blame.

These are all significant and much needed elements of advocacy and discourse, but we need time to time remember about the people: the people who have died; the people who may die and the people who have thought to stop crimes against humanity. People like the original White Rose who for their efforts to speak out against Nazi crimes, were beheaded. And for their efforts our contemporary anti-genocide group has chosen to become living memorials of these brave activists.

The ten thousand roses are about those have died and those who may died, but also about those who live to commemorate: those who live to continue the fight against inhumanity; those who refuse to give up hope!

In the span of a day, my peers: friends, acquaintances and strangers alike contribute our time and our energy in remember that in a similar amount of time, ten thousand people could be murdered because of a racist ideology combined with a horrendous bureaucracy deemed them to be subhuman all because of a group these individuals may have chosen or not chosen to be part. We do this because we want to remember and we want others to remember. That is our task in name that is how we have chosen to describe such a task.

What we do not say is that this task is not solely about history or the now cliché sentiment of “never again,” but that this task is our attempt to proudly display our hope that one day we will pass out roses to remember and remember alone. That one day genocide will be a thing of the past and the past alone. That we will not have to promote a week of education and action with these roses, but that we will only commemorate those victims of an earlier era.

Until then we pass out our roses for hope.