Dave Egger's novel What is the What deals with "the Lost Boys" of the Sudan. Here's some brief background--a civil war broke out in 1983, pitting the country's Arab and Muslim northern government against the largely Christian and black tribes of the south. The result--approximately 5 million Sudanese were displaced and an estimated 30,000 young boys were orphaned and had to trek to refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. Without parents to care for them, they banded together to survive -- and are known as the "lost boys of Sudan." What they faced was horrifying--crocodile-infested rivers, lion attacks, beatings, diseases, and starvation.
Since the signing of a peace treaty, almost 4,000 of these Sudanese child refugees now live in the United States. Foundations were established to assist these young boys--to help them make the transition. First, I would like you to read to discover more about these young boys and their experiences at this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/01/60II/main502594.shtml
and then please check out the following videos:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2591255213790016056
Recently, our legislators have introduced the H.R. 3054: Return of the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan Act. I'd like for you to click on the following link and where it says "Bill Text", click on the Summaries and Full Text to read about this act. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3054
Since the signing of a peace treaty, almost 4,000 of these Sudanese child refugees now live in the United States. Foundations were established to assist these young boys--to help them make the transition. First, I would like you to read to discover more about these young boys and their experiences at this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/01/60II/main502594.shtml
and then please check out the following videos:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2591255213790016056
Recently, our legislators have introduced the H.R. 3054: Return of the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan Act. I'd like for you to click on the following link and where it says "Bill Text", click on the Summaries and Full Text to read about this act. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3054
Questions: What do you think about this Act after what you have learned about the Lost Boys? And what are your thoughts about the AWARD AMOUNTS the government is offering under Section 3 of the Full Text?
25 comments:
People can learn a lot from these “lost boys”. With their similar dispositions- no home and no parents- they bonded together to trudge all the way to camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. My heart just goes out to these poor boys, having to endure so much hardship that they don’t rightfully deserve.
The civil war initiated in 1983, 25 years ago. How is it that only 4,000 if these Sudanese children (out of 30,000) have found home in the United States? 25 years. A lot of people state that it is not the United States business or affair, so we should not bother and enter. It is not just about the United States though, it is about humans, children for that matter. The “lost boys” bonded together and worked through their hard times, so why can’t other nations form a bond to allow them to have a home?
They might want to try to stop the fighting before they make plans to "rebuild Sudan".
First it seemed like a good thing that the Lost Boys were getting out of the camps and were slowly but surely getting to America. But then I thought it was a tad rude to take them out of Africa and then abandon them after 4 months and have them pay back the $840 bill for the airfare. But they seem to be intergrating really well. people are trying to help them out, they're working and trying to get into schools and go to colleges. I'm not sure why there should be a law that puts them back in Africa, I know why the bill is there, but I don't know why there has to be a law in act to put them back.
In the wake of international events, the United Nations' duty prescribed to them 63 years ago was to handle these events. However, nowadays you see the United States taking the frontlines, whether they need to or not. However, I don't think the United States' government understands their role. It is assumed when someone takes an authoritative role, they are gonna stick with it. But I think the US realized a little late that maybe they've taken more on than they can handle. If anything, this act may just be a way of relieving the government of this responibility. So, I guess the main questions are How? and Why? How could they get away with this, and why can't they handle it in the first place?
I agree that the United States has bitten off more than they can chew, but it's good to see we're helping out. We can always just say, oh let someone else handle it, but in reality many times those other countries or organizations won't step up to the plate. I believe if we didn't take on such roles many would consider us spectators. I understand that the military is having a rough time, but we've taken on the persona as world police so why halt that now? People are in need and are waiting on our help, so let's provide it. I would much rather live in a country that does all they possibly can to aid others than live in one that watches the innocent suffer.
The first thing I want to know is what caused the civil war, and the violence to the Sudanese people? The second thing, is why would the U.S. want to send them back to Sudan. I mean they just experience many horrors none of us could imagine. For example on the video, the camp they went to, to try to get protection looked like a concentration camp. Plus when they get to the U.S., what happens when they are left to do things on their own? This a new place for them, so they would need help. It is sad to hear that even some of them don't believe that they will realize their dreams, even though they would do anything to get there. Therefore those people should be getting the education and the jobs, and not the people that bow them off everyday.
Is the US really about helping or rather are they trying to sustain international credibility? If I was a "lost boy" and educated, I wouldn't exactly call saving 4,000 lives "helping." Also, the tragic events of September 11 weren't reason enough to halt flights to America for several years. If anything, this would've escalated religious tension, providing reason to send more "lost boys" to America. Of course, America has a background of fighting in caution, instead of for right. World War I's entry was because Americans couldn't feel safe at sea, not because our European friends needed help. The US entered World War II because of the hostility at Pearl Harbor and Hitler's evident attack on America. Finally, those other battles during the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam, were made to preserve American ideals, not necessarily the ideals of the people that lived there. Continuing with the Cold War, I would say that empowering harsh dictators and tyrants because they were anti-Communist, was selfish, at the least. Even more so, these tyrants killed innocent lives with their uncontrolled power. Can you hear these people praising our name? In decency, if the US's motives are true, they could at least try to show some effort. However, until history shows me otherwise, I believe our "help" could be controversial.
Many of you said that the U.S. isn't helping enough. That we are just getting them here and shoving problems on them like paying the airfare and living expenses. But you have to realize that the U.S. doesn't have to do any of this. You speak of it as if it's something they take for grant it. We could leave them in Kenya, but they need help and we are willing to give it. And even though they are left with these problems, they have already been given so much potential to succeed that it will be the least of their worries. Coming to the U.S. allows lost boys to get a job and education leading to a better job, so they can use their money to help out those still left in Africa, or just live their life.
To the previous comment made before me. It is generous for the US to accomodate the lost boys yeah. But it's kinda similar to invite a friend to your house then asking them to foot the some bills. It defeats common courtesy. You invited them here, we shouldn't ask for money back.
I agree with you Brian. I thought it was generous for the United States to make an attempt to solve some problems and give some people a new life of sorts. I believe you were right when you said we don't have to do anything to help them, we could, as you said just keep them there. I don't personally agree with charging them for airfare, but I do believe it's a small price to pay for the opportunity received. I believe the U.S. has shown plenty effort by giving these people a brand new home and endless potential. I think we can be about helping and winning over credibility at the same time, they don't have to be separate, although I don't think that's our goal. I think we were just trying to be nice, (besides the costs brought onto them) not to get people to think nice of us.
The stories or the "lost boys", and "lost girls", truly is heart-wrenching. Just thinking about all the things they had to go through makes one want to help them. I see why the U.S. want to help them, but I agree with Ryan and Troy that the U.S. has caught herself in a juggling act, taking on all the things she wants to help with.
Knowing the "lost boys" stories, why would they want to return to Sudan even if it is to help out the country?
I like how cbs compared the lost boys to peter pan. Their story is soooo amazing. People can really learn alot from them and their story. The fact that they didn't give up is what amazes me. I know that if i was in there position i would have been gave up. I would have been like "JESUS TAKE ME NOW!! I READY TO GO!!!!". Let's just say, i'm very proud of them.
I agree with Mz. Ashley, she has a very valid point. They lost boys ahve managed to stick it out for so long. They could have simply given up, and stoping fighting for the right to live. Yet they manage to find something worth living for, wheather its, the promise of a new life or just simply the fact of living to see another day. Their story is truly amazing, society as whole can benefit from hearn everything they have gone through. Maybe if everyone wakes up and acknowledges what is going on then we can prevent this from happening in other countries. Allow the children of future generations never have to face this tragedy.
I think that it is good that 4,000 Sudanese children have found homes in the United States. I agree with Julie though, what happens to the other 26,000 Sudanese. They should be able to have good homes and eduction in the United States or in any other willing country. These Sudanese children were very brave. I'm sure that there are very few people around that could travel that long on foot and live in those conditions because we are sheltered. Why is the U.S sending them back to Sudan when they can have a home and education here, which is what many of them are seeking.
I agree with mz. ashley the boys story is absolutely amazing and i'm sure if I were them I would have given up very quickly. They have been through so much and acomplished so much too. I also sgree with Brian and Sabrina. How could we be so smug as to invite these boys into our country and them try to take everything away from them. Then they are no better off then they were in Sudan if we treat them this way. I think we have gotten way to involved in too many things and now we can't handle them.
I believe that these boys are perfect role models to the American society. However, I don't believe that America must do anything for these boys. If it were up to me, I would take the boys into the American society and send all of our prisoners known as "trouble-makers" to Sudan.
I agree with the first comment, people can learn a lot from these "lost boys". But it would be much easier for us to understand if we know exactly what they've been through. Chances are none of us will ever know what it's like to see our friends shot, or carried away by lions. We can only imagine how it feels. However, from their experiences, one thing we can realize is that they know the worth of life. Even when they had hit rock bottom, they had nothing going for them, and it seemed as if the world around them was out to kill them, the "lost boys" kept going. So when they were given so much to start off with in society, they are grateful for everything. Not only are they free to live, but they have a home, and a multitude of luxuries, mostly donated. We might speak up for them for the government shoving more problems off on them, but I think they feel they have been given the chance they need.
These lost boys are amazing. I could never make it through what they have. The fact that they bonded together when there was no more hope, traveld hundreds of miles having to constantly flee something, and survived the dangerous animals and obstacles they came across, is simply mind-boggling.
I don't understand why we (the US) have only helped 4,000 of these children. I mean yeah sure that's a lot, but when you look at it from the big picture it's not really.
I don't feel these boys should have to pay the $850 back AND return back to the country from which they constantly fled, to help reconstruct it. Now that they are exposed to America they probably want to live here from now on anyways. Where they are free and where people care about them. They need to be guided and counseled, not sent back to work in some place they were rejected in.
Personally i am glad to see that the united States is helping other countries! i liked the way Mz. Ashley compared the lost boys to Peter Pan! in a way they are they have been through so much but they stuck it out. how many kids do you know that could do that. be away form your family and taken out of the land that you know. personaly i dont think i could do it!
It is crazy what these boys (and girls) have gone through. Just imagine first being shot at then having to trek to Ethiopia of Kenya. On the trek you are beaten and chased by lions and crocodiles. If you didn't die from one of those you will probably end up getting malaria and dieing from it. Not to mention this whole time your parents have been dead. That is what these boys have dealt with.
The bill should be passed because these "boys" deserve at least this in their life. Don't you think?
I think it is very amiable and respectable that our government is going out of its way to help and relocate the Lost Boys.
I think that the reward amounts are pretty fair, as in that they aren't giving away an absurd amount, nor are they being cold-hearted. The Lost Boys have absolutely nothing. If we give them nothing when they are relocated here, they would be in much the same position as they are in in Kenya, but they would also become homeless most likely.
I agree with julie that we should all learn from these "lost boys." After being attacked for what they believe in they all formed a brotherhood and helped one another. I believe what The United States is doing is the right thing to do. We are giving the "lost boys" a fresh start after going through so much. Though relocating them to the U.S. may not seem much to some people, but a little bit can go a long way.
Not very many poeple can say they have been through what these boys have been through. Alot of us would never have survived. I think it is a wonderful thing that the governtment is going out of their way and making an effort to help these lost boys in todays time. But is this what they really and truley want?
Yes, helping them is a great thinig, and they do need a little bit of help. But taking them away from what they hvae always nown and loved, it would be a very hard thing i would imagine. Being put in a unfamiliar place and not knowing anyone or anything about your surroundings. Do we just dump them off and say here ya go, live on your own? Sure they will have alot better education and jobs, but are they truley happy?
I agree with Ryan. It seems like more and more countries are depending on the United States to be their savior. However, sometimes when we stick our noses where they don't belong it blows up in our face. I'd like to say, America should stay out of foreign affiars, but if we didn't do something, would anyone. What would have happened if we didn't help the lost boys? Even if we didn't exactly treat them with complete generosity, at least we did something, that's more than you can say for other countries. I think it's unfair that people assume United States can fix everything when we're just one country trying to fix our own problems. I do think it's great that we helped the Lost boys, but I think we're getting in way over our head.
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