by S.J. Watson

Created on: April 16, 2008   Last Updated: May 01, 2008

Don Cheadle is an award-winning movie, theatre, and television actor who has decided to make a difference in this world. Mr. Cheadle supports, and is involved in, numerous charities and projects that are directed toward ending the genocide in Darfur. He co-authored a book with John Prendergast called "Not On Our Watch: The Mission To End Genocide In Darfur And Beyond" which is about the need to put an end to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. He spends much of his time, effort, and money campaigning for the refugees of Darfur.

"What is genocide?" you may ask. The dictionary definition of genocide is: "the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group of people." When I hear the word "extermination" I think of exterminating pesky bugs or rodents from a building. The Holocaust is another example of genocide. Adolf Hitler and his Nazi followers "exterminated" more than 6,000,000 Jews during the Holocaust. This same thing is happening today in Darfur, Sudan, and Don Cheadle has committed to make a difference.

In 2007, Don Cheadle joined up with Annie Duke, a professional poker player, to organize a poker tournament called "Ante Up for Africa" at the 2007 Poker World Series. Many of Hollywood's elite played in this tournament, with the initial buy-in being $5,000.00. The winners were encouraged to donate part or all of their winnings to the International Rescue Committee or to The ENOUGH Project, both of which are charities that are assisting the refugees of Darfur. The two finalists of the 2007 tournament decided to share First Place and donate all of their winnings to the victims of Darfur. More than $700,000 was contributed from this tournament alone!

The International Rescue Committee, or IRC, is a charity organization which gives access to clean water and sanitation, provides health care and education, reunites and resettles refugee families, provides education and educational programs for children, counseling and much more. Don Cheadle and Annie Duke chose to support the IRC because it advocates change for the refugees of war-torn countries like Sudan.

The ENOUGH Project is the "project to end genocide and crimes against humanity". The goal of this project is: to bring an end to genocide and to serve justice for the crimes committed against the victims. There is even a special branch of ENOUGH just for students. STAND - Students Taking Action Now for Darfur. This provides the information that students need to get in touch with the proper channels to "take action" for Darfur.

Don Cheadle is a man of courage, and a man to look up to. When others choose to turn their heads and look away from the problem in Darfur, he faces it head on, giving of himself - his time, his effort, and his money - to make a difference in the world. We need more men and women of courage to take a stand, and let their voices be heard!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Chead le
http://www.theirc.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki /Darfur_conflict
http://www.enoughproject.org/node/34 1
http://www.anteupforafrica.org
http://www.dictionary .com

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