On April 27, 2006 the Awareness Society held its annual Holocaust Remembrance assembly at the Martinsville campus’ Hauser Auditorium. In addition to reflecting on the Holocaust, the gathering was used to educate and inform the school about the genocide taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan, Africa. Awareness Society members Julian Quintanilla (Form V) and Sam Baron (Form II) were equally compelling as this year’s speakers.
“This is the ‘world's worst current humanitarian crisis,’” Sam Baron said in his introduction. He went on to touch upon the events leading up to the now three-year-old war between the non-Arab black Africans and the Janjaweed, a militia group that has succeeded in murdering tens of thousands of men, women, and children—countless generations that will never be born.
Detailed information about this crime against humanity was listed in a fact sheet handed out before the assembly. Following Sam’s introduction, a video with photos and a voice over by Jerry Fowler of the Holocaust Museum’s Committee on Conscience played for the crowd. The documentary featured photos of refugees, living conditions in neighboring Chad (where refugees have sought out protection), and burned and looted villages in addition to details on the mass violence (rape and murder) that has taken place and accounts of missing loved ones.
Julian Quintanilla summed up the situation by saying, “There are often two types of people –– those who do evil and those who stand by and watch.” He went on to urge everyone to do what they can to help save Darfur and at the very least to promise to never let genocide happen again. In the tradition of the remembrance assembly, grandchildren of Holocaust survivors were called up to light one of six large candles. Afterwards, all were welcomed to light one of several smaller candles in remembrance of those who’ve perished at the hands of hate.
Julian concluded the congregation by saying, “Remember that one person can make a difference. Let your voice be heard.” For more information on genocide in Darfur and how you can help, go to www.committeeonconscience.org or www.savedarfur.org.
© 2006 The Pingry School
