Imagine a country where 11.5 million people have been displaced by war, entire communities have been torn apart, and millions are facing hunger. Now, imagine that this country, despite enduring one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history, is met with near silence from the global media. This is the reality in Sudan.
Why is the world so indifferent to the suffering of Black communities? The answer lies in the deeply entrenched racial empathy bias—a phenomenon where people are less likely to empathise with the pain of Black individuals and communities compared to their White counterparts. This bias, coupled with anti-Blackness and colourism, ensures that crises affecting predominantly Black nations like Sudan are overlooked, underreported, and devalued.
The Invisible Crisis in Sudan
Since the war erupted in Sudan, over 11.5 million people have been displaced, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis. Humanitarian organisations like the UN, UNICEF, and the World Food Program (WFP) have issued alarming reports: 18 million people face food insecurity, with many at risk of starvation. Yet, these staggering figures barely register in global headlines.
Contrast this with the extensive media coverage of conflicts affecting White populations. Western audiences are inundated with stories of war in Ukraine or the Middle East, often accompanied by heartfelt imagery and urgent calls to action. In comparison, Sudan’s pain is muffled, sidelined as just another African tragedy.
Racial Empathy Bias: The Root of the Silence
Racial empathy bias isn’t just an abstract concept—it’s a tangible force shaping how the world engages with suffering. Studies show that people are more likely to feel empathy for those who look like them or belong to dominant cultural groups. For Black communities, this means their pain is not only ignored but actively dismissed.
This bias stems from centuries of colonialism and racism, which have dehumanised Black people and perpetuated the idea that their struggles are less urgent or deserving of compassion. When we fail to empathise, we fail to act—and this failure is devastating for Sudan.
Anti-Blackness and Colourism: Deepening the Divide
The underreporting of Sudan’s crisis is also a reflection of pervasive anti-Blackness and colourism in global narratives. Anti-Blackness is the systemic marginalisation of Black individuals and communities, rooted in a world order that prioritises White lives and experiences.
Colourism, the preference for lighter skin tones even within communities of colour, compounds this issue. The global media often centres narratives involving White skin or those closer to whiteness, reinforcing the idea that darker-skinned individuals—like the majority of Sudan’s population—are less worthy of visibility or compassion. This is why Sudan’s war doesn’t make front-page news, even though the human suffering is unparalleled.
The Consequences of Bias
When the world ignores Sudan, the consequences are catastrophic. Aid organisations struggle to secure funding, leaving millions without food, water, or medical care. International pressure on warring parties is diminished, prolonging the conflict and deepening the humanitarian crisis. Most heartbreakingly, millions of Sudanese people are left to feel that their lives are invisible and their suffering unimportant.
This silence is a form of violence. By turning away from Sudan, the global community reinforces the idea that Black lives don’t matter as much as others—a narrative we must dismantle.
Breaking the Cycle: What Can Be Done
The first step is acknowledging the biases that shape how we engage with global crises. We must confront racial empathy bias, anti-Blackness, and colourism in ourselves, our media, and our institutions. This means amplifying Sudanese voices—both on the ground and in the diaspora—and pushing for more equitable representation in media coverage.
Follow activists and organisations like @londonforsudan, @madaniya.sdg, and @yassmin_a to stay informed and help raise awareness. Demand that media outlets cover Sudan with the same urgency they give to conflicts affecting White populations. Support humanitarian efforts through donations or volunteering, ensuring that Sudanese communities receive the aid they desperately need.
A Call to Action
At BLAM UK, we believe that all lives matter equally, and we stand against the systemic biases that silence Black voices and diminish Black pain. The world cannot continue to turn its back on Sudan—it’s time to break the silence and demand justice for the millions suffering in darkness.
Let’s hold the media accountable. Let’s educate ourselves and others about racial empathy bias and its consequences. Most importantly, let’s remind the world that Sudan’s pain is our collective responsibility.
BLAM UK CIC 