Sun-Sentinel.com, FL
Feb 16 2007

Don’t repeat history – anywhere

Andrew Shumaker
Age 12 Don Estridge High-Tech Middle School Boca Raton
Posted February 16 2007

Even though Americans are slowly learning about the terrible genocide
in Darfur, the atrocities continue. People, worldwide, must become
more aware and involved because we need to stop the intentional
killing of innocent people.

There are many opportunities for students to make a change. Students
first need to educate themselves about the facts of the genocide, and
then must make an effort to inform and educate their peers. Attending
"Save Darfur" rallies, where many organizations meet, speak and share
ideas about this problem is a good start.

Contacting government officials allows them to change laws, arrange
international meetings to work toward a more international solution,
and to assign more money for relief.

Teaching tolerance is another way that students can make a
difference. Other genocides in history, such as the Armenian
genocide, and the Holocaust took millions of innocent lives, all
because people were seen as "different."

Knowing our history, young students, like adults, have an obligation
to end the horrific events in Darfur. During a recent sermon at my
synagogue, my rabbi (Rabbi Richard Agler, D.D.) firmly stated that
"never again" means "never again for anyone." We must not repeat
history!