Furthermore: Where the Headlines Take You

The Democratic Republic of Congo

A picture is worth a thousand words, as the old saying goes, and yesterday I saw a picture that spoke volumes to me. I was perusing the Christian Science Monitor website, specifically their Photos of the Day section, and saw this heartbreaking image. I am a mother, and seeing this woman with her, what I can only imagine, much beloved child in what is an impossibly tragic situation overwhelmed me with emotion. Most of us can not fathom what life is like in the Democratic Republic of Congo - the heart of Africa - whose natural resources and people have been plundered and exploited since the first European landed on its shores back in the 15th Century. Today the country finds itself still recovering from being in the middle of "Africa’s first World War". And though it ended back in 2003, an an estimated 1,200 people continue to die every day from war-related causes, including disease, hunger and violence. And since August 2008, the fighting in eastern Congo has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, leaving many without sufficient food, water, medical supplies or shelter.

This image made me sad, and angry, and defeated. What I do when that combination of things happen, is try and learn more about whatever it is that is causing me to feel that way. In this case, I needed to know more about the Congo and its history, from before the first European landed there in 1482 (Diogo Cao from Portugal) all the way up through the current President, Joseph Kabila. Robert B. Edgerton has written a thorough history of this beautiful and ravaged region in his book titled The Troubled Heart of Africa. One reviewer of the book described it as "an engrossing albeit tragic history". The author ends his work with the statement, "That a people should suffer so terribly for so long is truly tragic, and no end is in sight."

But do not despair, because the library has a DVD that shows how every single one of us can, in fact, make a difference. The title is The Chick Who Always Talks About Atrocities in the Congo at Parties and is a documentary by local Portland filmmaker and activist Lisa Shannon. In it she talks about the human rights violations that have taken place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And more than that, she talks about how one person can effect change. After learning about the atrocities herself, Shannon began a charity to help raise awareness and funds for women of the Congo.

And to inspire further, I always find music helps. The library has a wonderful CD titled In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy by Magic by the Kasai Allstars (now that's an album title!). The Kasai Allstars are made up of 25 musicians and dancers originating from five different ethnic groups within the Kasai region of the Congo. The music is fun and funky! And the Kasai Allstars’ model of cooperation amongst different ethnic groups is inspiring.

I wish the very best for that mother and child. I wish them a life of peace and plenty.