But what can I do?

Nathan has been receiving many letters of support over the last several days, and many people want to know how they can get involved and contribute. Here are two big ways, and neither one of them involves self-deprivation:

1) There are two bills regarding Darfur before Congress right now. The House version, H.R. 1424: Darfur Genocide Accountability Act, would impose sanctions against perpetrators of crimes against humanity and genocide in Sudan, and calls for a robust multinational force to support the African Union Mission in Sudan. The bill before the Senate, S. 495: Darfur Accountability Act, calls on the Administration to “engage in a concerted, sustained campaign with other members of the United Nations Security Council and relevant countries with the aim of achieving the goals described [in the act].” These goals include imposing sanctions on the Government of Sudan, establishing a military no-fly zone in Darfur, and expanding the size and strength of the African Union force in Darfur in order to stop the violence and protect the people in Darfur. Click on the above links to email your representatives regarding the bills via Africa Action, and if you want to go the extra mile, call or write letters as well, urging them to co-sponsor the bills, or at least vote for them, and to move for their rapid passage. (As a side note, Africa Action also has a some useful tips on communicating with elected officials).

2) Contact your local newspaper, your not-so-local newspaper, your favorite radio station, your favorite cable news program, (to quote Nate, "Hell, even Fox News") and let them know that there has been a hunger strike going on for over a week now, not to mention a genocide in Sudan, and encourage them to cover it. It is the responsibility of the news media in a democracy to keep its citizens informed, and right now most Americans are woefully ignorant of what's happening in their own backyards, let alone halfway around the world in Darfur. One place to start is CNN's News Tip form.