Social Media As A Role In Current Events: June 3rd In Sudan
As an avid Instagram user myself, I have seen a rapid uprise in users’ profile pictures displaying a specific shade of blue.
Accompanying these profile pictures, users can find posts about statistics and short stories of the atrocities currently occurring in Sudan. Social media has been brought to the forefront of spreading global knowledge efficiently and effectively. The ease which comes along with reposting pictures, typing a hashtags, and changing one’s profile picture allows for a wide demographic of people to participate in spreading awareness about a specific topic. And, in this case, the topic is the Sudanese, governmental crackdown on their own people.
Social media helps to inform people about current events which would otherwise be lesser known by a great population (such as those who do not regularly read the newspaper or watch the news). However, Instagram posts and Twitter chains are not educational enough. And, unfortunately, many people do not care enough to indulge themselves in researching Sudan in order to truly know about the current and, let’s not forget, past occurrences within that nation. The result of this is a somewhat educated population, but also a somewhat misguided population. For instance, I assumed that the blue profile picture was something started by an organization and spread throughout the internet for people to represent their solidarity with Sudan. While I wasn’t completely incorrect, I was unaware of the full story: a feeling I believe many people can relate to. In actuality, a young man by the name of Mohamed Mattar was shot and killed in Sudan and had a profile picture that specific shade of blue. When someone switches their profile picture to this dark, turquoise blue, they are representing a story much deeper than what meets the eye and I don’t think enough people acknowledge that. As people scroll through pictures of tragedy, they don’t always go into exploration about what was actually happening in the photos, about why people are being harmed, or what they can do to help. Instead, many of us just simply repost these pictures without genuinely knowing much else. Yes, this is a helpful tactic in spreading information and people shouldn’t stop reposting current events. But, people need to then inform themselves to be educated individuals and truly know what they are sharing on their social media platform.
So, for those of you who don’t know, this is what’s going on in Sudan. Omar Hassan Al-Bashir led Sudan for the past 30 years as a brutal dictator.
This past April, citizens took to the streets and protested for civilian rule which resulted in overthrowing him from a position of power. One of the people who initially supported Al-Bashir, General Hamdan, claimed to be in support of the revolution and began to assume power. But, when civilians continued to push for civilian rule, he refused to budge leaving them with little power once again. General Hamdan, 45, claims to be Sudan’s savior in a time of heavy international pressure, but in actuality, he harms his own people. General Hamdan says people are “provoking” the government as they peacefully fight for civilian rule. In response to these protests, troops are burning tents, raping people (children included), shooting citizens, and throwing people’s bodies into the Nile. Additionally, the media is heavily censored by the government who pumps out pro- Al-Bashir propaganda. So far, 500 people have been killed, 723 injured, 650 arrested, 54 raped, 100 missing, and 118 dumped into the Nile river. These numbers are increasing due to the frequent atrocities caused by the government. There is more to the story that I did not include so please go inform yourself and do further research.
Here are ways you can help beyond reposting on social media. Sign petitions such as the promotion to recognize the June 3rd attacks as a human rights violation. Donate to organizations helping to support Sudanese people. UNICEF is working to help displaced children. The International Rescue Committee has been working with Sudan since 1989 helping to fight malnutrition and supporting displaced families. Save The Children has been working in Sudan since 1984 to support those in need. You can also reach out to your elected officials and tell them you support victims in Sudan. Simply call 202-224-3121, tell them your state, and zip code and express your support. If you do not want to call, text RESIST to 50409. And, lastly, spread news through social media without forgetting to inform yourself more thoroughly than an Instagram post.