The mass killing in Darfur, Sudan, may be the worst in the world as well as a topic that doesn't have much attention paid to it, but junior Cory Ahlersmeyer is trying to change that.
Ahlersmeyer has been working for months to organize a comedy show to benefit savedarfur.org, a Web-based organization that raises funds and awareness for the people who are suffering.
"I saw a news report, and it struck a nerve," he said. "I just think about how many children, the starving children, the sexual assault that's taking place. It's the worst genocide of the century and we're not doing anything about it."
Ball State's Next Top Comic takes place at 7 p.m. in Pruis Hall. Admission is $2. Pruis Hall holds about 700 people, and Ahlersmeyer said he'd love to fill all the seats. Jake Lentz said he can help with that.
Lentz is a senior interpersonal communication studies student, and he organizes a comedy night at Be Here Now in the Village.
"The Facebook event has about 240 people that say they're going," he said. "I know that's not always the best measure, but it's never failed me."
Lentz said he's glad he can help make a difference in Darfur.
"If anyone doesn't know about it, they should educate themselves," he said.
Darfur is a region in Sudan roughly the size of Texas where mass killing has been taking place since 2003. According to savedarfur.com, the conflict began when two rebel movements launched attacks against government military groups. These efforts were part of a campaign to end three decades of civil war in the area.
Since then, there's been efforts to establish peace in Darfur, but the government continues to fight against groups that refused to sign a peace agreement.
Change won't happen overnight, said Robert Abner, minister at Grace Village Lutheran church where Ahlersmeyer serves as a peer minister.
"I think Cory has done a lot of good footwork, and I think students have become interested in activism," Abner said.
He's trying to encourage Ahlersmeyer to stay steadfast and active.
"If we can do our small part, it's going to have a larger ripple effect," Abner said.
Ball State's Next Top Comic
What: Comedy night
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Pruis Hall
Cost: $2
Why: To support victims of genocide and sexual assault in Darfur. Proceeds go to savedarfur.org
For more information, search "Ball State's Next Top Comic" on Facebook
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