For Sudanese Youth, the Time for Change Is Now

It is perhaps cliché at this point to talk about how Americans take advantage of the rights and freedoms that others around the world die for, but, well, it also happens to be true -- and particularly true when it comes to the right to freely elect our representatives in government.

A new video posted by the Video Journalism Movement profiles the Sudanese youth movement Girifna, which first grabbed international headlines in December for its bold protests against the ruling National Congress Party of President Omar al-Bashir. (Added bonus: The video features several shots of Bashir's lovely campaign posters.) Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against any possibility of free and fair presidential elections next month, Girifna is out to convince the Sudanese to use the ballot box to depose the NCP.

Their bright orange fliers and public demonstrations come at a high cost for the movement's leaders and followers alike, many of whom have been arrested and beaten, but, as their name expresses, they are "fed up" with the brutal rule of the NCP and willing to make extreme sacrifices to bring genuine change to their country.

Another group profiled in the video uses artists and musicians to educate the public about elections -- because, as one member notes, some people don't even know what elections are, what they're for, or how to participate.

The view from abroad (and frequently on this blog) is often of latest escapades of the dominant belligerent parties -- the NCP in the north, the SPLM in the South, the Darfur rebel factions in the West, and who even talks about the East? -- who do a stand-up job of hogging the limelight and pushing out the voices of their own citizens. But Girifna and the other movements and voter education efforts see the elections as their chance to finally have a say in their own government, and their members are willing to take personal risks for a cause greater than themselves to make sure this happens.

If only every apathetic young American would-be voter could see through the eyes of a member of Girifna.

Photo credit: "Sudan Genocide," used with written permission.