Not on Our Watch: Number Three.

So, we have finished the book, and I'm sure that many of us have mixed feelings. Overall, I think that this was a very interesting read and allowed us a fresh push for finishing both the letter writing campaign as well as Camp Darfur. However at times I felt that this book was repetitive and shallow. For instance, sections that I would have enjoyed seeing more depth in regards to content were the historical profiles on Congo, Uganda, and Somalia. After all, this book is dedicated not only to Darfur but also “beyond.” I, personally, feel that “Not on our Watch” was insightful particularly because it presented many the ideas that ordinary people had and implemented. The fact John and Don were so thorough in gathering information on people who have been influential in Darfur was laborious to read at times, making the book very specialized, and perhaps not in a good way. As I was reading a question arose that correlated to the idea that we can change Khartoum’s behavior through pressure: “Could our political pressure make a difference or do we need to –as the book says- turn to aggressive military action?” After finishing the book, I think that it is possible for us to make a difference. There are so many ways one could get involve, and I think that many times people don’t realize the resources that are available to us, or the effects that we can make. I’m sure this was the case for the letters we all wrote. I’ve heard people talk about how we can’t make a difference, but looking at the amount of letters, we at least can show that some people in this world care. I don’t understand how people think that because they don’t see the immediate results, they aren’t making a difference…I guess it all comes back to our human nature.