Genocide Discussing Genocide Genocide. The Thesis

Former President Bill Clinton "stood by" while what Power calls "the fastest, most efficient killing spree of the twentieth century" ravaged families in Africa. In 1998, he would issue an apology for the inactivity (Power). Indeed, his refusal to call the genocide by the term that Lemkin designated for the violence just 50 years prior was met with international scorn.

The Darfur crisis is another, more recent, exhibit of genocide. In this case, a military group called the Janjaweed has engaged in the execution and displacement of many black Africans. This time, the United States did not hesitate to use the term, but the incident brought forward a controversy regarding genocide as a legal term and when it can and cannot be used (British Broadcasting Corporation).

Regardless of its legal definition, genocide is an incredible travesty of international proportion. In the 21st century, as globalization and education attempt to cross cultural boundaries, genocide reminds the international community that it will always have difficulty, though the awareness of genocide is increasing.Today, however, genocide still occurs. In fact, many international and United States groups have banded together to raise awareness of and prevention of genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Thus, genocide is a term that was birthed in one of the worst conflicts in history -- the Holocaust. It has a specific definition that requires one group trying to eliminate another racial or cultural group. Today, genocide continues throughout Africa, and many have devoted their time and money to understanding the concept and stopping the violence.

Works Cited

BBC. "Analysis: Defining genocide." BBC. 1 Feb. 2005. 15 Feb. 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3853157.stm

Cable News Network. "A Brief History 1400-1994." CNN. 1996. 15 Feb. 2009. http://www.cnn.com/EVENTS/1996/year.in.review/topten/hutu/history.html

Power, Samantha. "Bystanders to Genocide." The Atlantic. 2001. 15 Feb. 2009. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200109/power-genocide.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "What is Genocide?" 7 Oct. 2008. 15 Feb. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10007043.....