In the Independent's Friday front page coverage of the Sudanese Panel Discussion, titled, "From Sudan to G.I.," writer Tracy Overstreet made incorrect inferences about survival in the refugee camps during war and violence within the Sudanese community. This was an irresponsible lapse of reporting. As moderator of the panel discussion, I must respond.

No reference of any kind was made by me or the panelists about the murder of children. In situations of life or death, certainly corporal punishment may have been used to quiet a child as Janjaweed militia invaded the refugee camp. Further, a mother's soothing touch would certainly be the first and most effective means to calm a frightened child.

The Sudanese refugee in America does not have "cultural acceptance of beating children." Life in the United States is radically different than life in Africa. In South Sudan, corporal punishment has been an accepted aspect of a parent's prerogative to discipline children. "Beating children," is unacceptable and repugnant to us and to the Sudanese families both in the United States and in Africa.

It is regrettable the harm that this one article may have done to the community building that so many people of Grand Island are dedicated to doing.

The history of the Southern Sudanese is complex, and cannot possibly be captured in a short lunch-time panel discussion. According to Evaldo Legge, participant on the panel discussion, 62 different tribes comprise the people of South Sudan. Each tribe speaks a different language. Each tribe has an ancient and unique identity. This tremendous regional diversity of the Upper Nile, Equatoria, Southern, Nuba Mountain and Bahr el Ghazal peoples has found its way to Grand Island, Nebraska. This legacy enriches and revitalizes our community.

The Sudanese people are survivors of what many determine to be the longest African civil war. According to the BBC News, shortly after independence from British Egyptian rule in 1956, Sudan dissolved into civil war. With only intermittent periods of peace, the country has been at war ever since. Multiple generations of Southern Sudanese have lived years within refugee camps. Many were raised in the camps as orphans. Families were separated. Most witnessed atrocities that only war and privation provide.

How does a people survive and overcome such experience? This is the triumph of our Sudanese neighbors. They are learning how to be good employees. They are learning English and take college courses. They are people who grew up without parents who want to parent their children. Couples work opposite shifts at JBS Swift and Co. in order to care for their households.

They are buying homes. These newest Americans are putting down roots. Grand Island is their home. Makuei Chung, naturalized American citizen and member of the Army National Guard, has said, "It has been a long walk." Panel discussion participant Hoth Moyong remarked, "Looking back, I don't know how we did it."

Ms. Overstreet's article failed to capture the hopes and dreams of our Sudanese neighbors. They love their children. Everything they do is for the benefit of their children. They love Grand Island and affirm that this is their home. The Sudanese people understand the laws of the United States and seek to abide by them.

This is a Christian people who love God. Our Sudanese neighbors want to be participating members of our vibrant community. They are eager to learn. We have an extraordinary opportunity to build bridges of hope and understanding.

Ann Sukraw-Lutz

916 West Division Street

Sudanese culture misrepresented

With just 25 words printed on the front page of Friday's Grand Island Daily Independent, the article "From Sudan to G.I." could fan the flames of discrimination and misunderstanding. The purpose of the lunch and learn workshop was to dispel, not propagate, stereotypes of Sudanese culture. No one spoke of "cultural acceptance of beating children" or of going to the extent when "a crying toddler must be killed in order to save an entire family from soldiers." No one justified killing or harming of children.

We know that alcoholism, domestic violence, and child abuse, transcend all races, all ethnic and cultural groups, and economic sectors of our community. We have specific laws and protections in our community to protect all children.

The Sudanese people are survivors of what may be the longest and most brutal civil war in world history. Many innocents had arms, hands, and feet hacked off with machetes to prevent possible opposition to those in power. Many have seen family members killed before their eyes. Children were separated from their parents or left orphaned. This is an up close and personal war. So yes, the Sudanese people have seen and experienced violence and many bear the scars of their lives before immigration. The lunch and learn workshop did not discuss the specific atrocities of war but only clarified the war is behind the need for refugee camps and immigration to the United States.

These brave men spoke of their hopes and dreams, their Christian values, and their love for their children. Over and over they spoke of working hard to better their lives, to provide for their children, and of helping their families in Sudan.

These panelists are fully aware of the social problems facing the Sudanese community. They did not duck the hard questions. They openly embraced all offers to partner in solving these problems.

These panelists and organizations like the Multicultural Coalition and the programs of such organizations are about bridging the gaps and creating understanding for people of different cultures and backgrounds.

Kay M. Strong

656 Swan Lane