Learning With: ‘Bullets, Tear Gas and Love: Romance Blooms in the Midst of Sudan Protests’ - The New York Times

Before reading the article:

In April, following months of protest, Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir was arrested and removed from power — ending his nearly 30-year rule that was plagued by war and famine.

Mr. al-Bashir is believed to have been responsible for conducting genocides in South Sudan, in the Nuba Mountains and in Darfur, and is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, while Mr. al-Bashir may be gone, many protesters remain on the streets of the country’s capital, Khartoum, fearing that his regime, synonymous with war and corruption, will survive.

Video

Even after forcing out president Omar al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan for 30 years, thousands of pro-democracy protesters are still out on the streets. Why? Because the country’s military generals have taken power into their hands.

Watch the five-minute video above, “The Middle East Has a New Revolution. This Time It’s in Sudan.” Then respond to the following questions:

• What was the Arab Spring? How does it serve both as an inspiration and a warning to the protesters in Khartoum?

• Who is in control of the country now that Mr. al-Bashir has been removed from power?

• Why do protesters remain on the streets in Khartoum? What are their demands?

Now, read the article, “Bullets, Tear Gas and Love: Romance Blooms in the Midst of Sudan Protests,” and answer the following questions:

1. Why does the reporter, Declan Walsh, use the story of the wedding of Samar Alnour and Muntassir Altigani to illustrate the newfound freedoms in Sudan following the fall of Mr. al-Bashir? What is the significance of the site for their ceremony?

2. What was Ms. Alnour’s experience of life in Sudan under the dictator? Why would she not have been able to make such a public display of her love while Mr. al-Bashir was in power?

3. Revolutionary Sudan has become the site of many extraordinary scenes. Give three examples provided by the article.

4. How is the old Sudan still evident in the country? Who are the public order police and what powers do they have?

5. What was the economic situation of Sudan before Mr. al-Bashir was deposed? How did it fuel the protests that drove him from power?

6. The article concludes:

Sudan’s new freedoms are fragile, and whether they can endure is unclear. Power-sharing talks between protest leaders and the military, now in their fourth week, have become tense in recent days. Outside the protest bubble, supporters of the old government are waiting and watching.

Some say the struggle has just begun. “It’s like you’re in a dark place and you can see a small light,” Ms. Elgizouli said. “We have a long road to freedom.”

Why are the new freedoms in Sudan fragile? Do you agree with Ms. Elgizouli’s characterization of the future ahead for Sudan?

Finally, tell us more about what you think:

— What is your reaction to recent events in Sudan? What do you think will be the political outcome? Will the military remain in power? Or will protesters realize their goals of a civilian-led democracy? Do you think there will be a peaceful and just resolution?

— Ordinarily, we don’t associate joy and love with protests. Why do you think the reporter focused so much on these aspects of the revolution in Sudan? What do you think of the actions of ordinary people like Ms. Alnour? What can we learn from their courage and efforts?

— Can you draw any parallels between the protests in Sudan and the protests that have happened in other countries recently? Were the issues the same, similar or different? How might those experiences help us to better understand the current situation in Sudan?

— Look at the photos featured in the article. Select one and write about how it exemplifies the hopes, fears and changes in revolutionary Sudan?

— A photo of Alaa Salah, a young woman atop a car addressing a crowd of protesters, has become an iconic image of the Sudanese revolution around the world. Choose this image, or another famous protest image in the same article, and write about why you believe it is powerful and memorable. Include a discussion of the formal aspects of the photo (framing, composition) as well as the content (people, events, actions). For more on conducting a photo analysis, see the Learning Network’s regular feature, “What’s Going On in This Picture?”

Further Resources:

Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir Is Ousted, but Not His Regime

Arab Spring, Again? Nervous Autocrats Look Out Windows as Crowds Swell

Five Strongmen, and the Fate of the Arab Spring

“The Daily” podcast: A Dictator’s Fall in Sudan

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https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/learning/learning-with-bullets-tear-gas-and-love-romance-blooms-in-the-midst-of-sudan-protests.html

2019-05-09 08:03:26Z

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