With worsening hunger and poverty compounded by challenges faced by much-needed aid trying to reach its destination, over 18 million suffer from extreme food insecurity. Ethnic cleansing via mass killings, looting and conflict in agricultural regions worsening food shortages, and an overwhelmed healthcare system are all exacerbating the devastating impact of this conflict.
Despite the atrocities that have been occurring we rarely see attention paid to Sudan by mainstream media. Unfortunately, colourism in western mainstream media is more than capable of ignoring the suffering of millions, especially if western countries have less of a stake in this war than others. Racial empathy bias stemming from colourism continues as a remnant of western colonialism that upholds ideas of white supremacy, perceiving people of colour as less worthy of empathy, and therefore are afforded less attention and global outrage.
With less attention and anger, it is usually more difficult for any movement to become sufficiently influential to create substantial change
Such bias plays a huge role in the challenges faced in advocating for an end to the conflict or assisting those affected, as with less attention and anger, it is usually more difficult for any movement to become sufficiently influential to create substantial change, especially with the ignorance of those in positions of power.
The same ideologies of colonialism and normalisation of violence in the global south actively contribute to many crises around the world. Even feeling as though being in the UK putting considerable geographical distance between us and Sudan, Palestine, Congo, or Haiti exempts us from caring is a key element in the genocidal machinery enabling the continuation of silence in the face of suffering around the world.
We cannot ignore the interconnectedness of these struggles
While every genocide, every conflict, every crisis deserves all the attention, anger and compassion the world can muster, we cannot ignore the interconnectedness of these struggles and the systems built to maintain oppression and violence around the world.
Therefore, we must acknowledge the struggle for justice and liberation extends beyond each crisis as an independent cause, and we cannot fight for the freedom of some without caring for freedom of others.
No one is free until all are free.
