(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)October 18, 2007

(Mahwah) – Simon Deng, who grew up in a peaceful farming community in southern Sudan, but whose childhood was filled with fear of Arab militia raids, will give a presentation about his experiences at Ramapo College of New Jersey Thursday, November 8 at 5 p.m. in the Alumni Lounges located in the Robert A. Scott Student Center.  The event is free and open the public; no reservations are required.

When Deng was nine, the Arab militia did, indeed, storm his village, killing the men and livestock, and burning the already sparse farming land.  Although the boy survived the destruction, he was abducted a year later to serve as a slave in northern Sudan.  He was beaten, forced to sleep on straw and given scraps of food to eat until he escaped two years later.

Deng’s experiences with slavery inspired him to become a fierce advocate for abolition.  He became a messenger in the Sudanese Parliament and, later, a national swimming champion.  Today, in addition to working as a lifeguard on Coney Island, Deng speaks across the nation as an associate of the American Anti-Slavery Group.

“I thought I could forgive and forget,” Deng has said.  “But villages are still being burnt, women are still being raped, and people are being sold into slavery.  We Americans must act and act now.”

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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