An Open Letter to the Sudanese Blogosphere

Dear fellow Sudanese bloggers,

I started my journey as a Sudanese blogger in April 2006. And believe me when I say that it began as a very lonely one. In fact, these were my very first words:

I dug around here and there until I was disappointed to realize there are no Sudanese bloggers out there blogging Sudan’s news (or at least any I heard of). So I took the initiative of starting out this blog to bring you the latest news on the country. This is very important for me to do especially since the Darfur situation is getting very intense.

Fast forward to August 2007, almost a year and half later and look around. I am no longer alone. You have finally made it. We have finally made it. A Sudanese blogosphere has been born.

It was such a pleasure witnessing its birth. It’s even a greater pleasure witnessing its steady growth. Yes, we arrived quite late to the scene. Yes, there aren’t many of us yet. Yes, there are even fewer of us who actively blog, but we are here now, and as more of us join, our collective voice will become louder.

There’s great potential for us to grow rapidly but we need to do more. Help by encouraging those you know to join. Many Sudanese spend so much time participating in online discussion forums like SudaneseOnline, SudanForum and Shamarat. Some of them have so many important and sane things to say. Promote blogging to them. Tell them that unlike forums, blogging has a more open format that allows everyone, even non-Sudanese to easily participate. On top of that, nobody can moderate what they would like to say. It’s simply a better option.

On a related note, every once in a while I discover new isolated Sudanese blogs. Some of them are out there all alone and totally unaware we even exist. Let’s find them, communicate with them, pull them in and make them part of the conversation.

Have hope, blog your hearts out, embrace technology and value the freedom of speech the internet provides. Last but not least, thank you all for making a small dream of mine a reality.

This is just the beginning.

Sincerely,

Drima