Dealing with Tragedy

A long time ago I tried to stop thinking about why tragedies happen, they are often random with no good explanation… But it seems like every time I hear of something terrible happening I can’t help but search for order, some explanation. It is a strange realization that not all things make sense, or even have an upside to them.

Although I only started my new job barely a month ago, I have gotten to know my co-worker and office mate, who I will call BN, well. He is an open, friendly person and we often consult each other on judgment calls on student situations. Our friendship has also been helped out by the fact that he and his wife have been expecting, as well. There have been many jokes in the office suite about our joint office being turned into a nursery, etc. It also helps that we compare notes on the myriad of decisions that couples are faced with when having their first baby.

BN and his wife have been in the last weeks of their pregnancy and each day it seems like a great surprise whether or not he will be in the office that day or not. Students have been popping in for any news, curious about BN’s life changing event. BN’s been sharing with me he and his wife’s plan to have the baby at home, completely naturally, and many of their other new exciting ideas.

Last night as many of the students I have been traveling with were being too loud at the fire pit, my co-worker and I received news that BN’s wife had gone into labor, but that the baby had died in labor. We were shocked to the core, and as I lay in my tent knowing none of the details, I searched for reasons, explanation, understanding-- anything that would help me see the bright side of a horrific, terrible event. I came up empty-handed.

Today it has sunk in a bit more, but I am still wondering, thinking in circles about what it would be like to carry a baby full term, deliver it, and to lose it in the end. You would still have gone through the ENTIRE long and life changing experience of being pregnant, of planning for and loving this growing thing inside of you, not to mention the intensity of labor—all to end up without a baby. 

It reminds me yet again of the devastating tragedies that people encounter in their lives all the time. I am humbled by the beautiful letter that BN wrote about their experience and their perspective moving forward, but I can’t help but feel like this is something you never get over… you just get past it. My compassion goes out to all people who have experienced something similar in their lives.

Traveling to the School of the Americas

I spent last weekend with 40 of my closest college students. We traveled to Georgia (yes, the state of) by bus (19 hours each way) in order to attend the School of the Americas (SOA) Protest that takes place every year in November at the gates of the Fort Benning Military base.

The School of the Americas, now titled the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC), is a place where terrorists are trained. Started during the early cold war era, the school has trained militants from countries across Latin America in interrogation techniques, torture, and counter insurgencies tactics. Run by the U.S. Military, the SOA trains people to uphold dictatorships (supported by the U.S. Government of course) that are not democratically elected and who support U.S. corporations (such as DOLE) in unfair trade agreements where most of their profits return to the United States.

Militants from the SOA have traditionally targeted educators, clergy, student activists, and other non-profit groups dedicated to providing a voice for the poor. Government supported militants have also committed mass murder and terrible atrocities, one of the most notable examples being the massacre at El Mozote during the El Salvadorian Civil War in 1981. (A book about this is The Massacre at El Mozote)

Many of the students who came on the trip were a part of the Coalition for Student Activists, one of the student organizations that I am faculty advisor for. The reflected quite a bit on protests, mass movements, and current issues where activists are need to provide a voice for the voice-less around the world.

The bus ride down was not as bad as I thought it would be. We watched movies, we read, and we slept. I got to know a lot of the students and I also did a tremendous job at sleeping overnight on the bus. Early Saturday morning we stopped at the Waffle House (a bit freaky) and then drove to the state park where we planned to camp, so we could set up our tents (this was a great adventure with students with a variety of camping experiences- my favorite being the Somali students who had no idea) It was a beautiful spot- wooded, hilly area on a small lake, with lots of leaves still on the trees.

The protest was interesting… strict boundaries of where you could be, where you could not be—it is on the edge of a military base after all. The first day of the gathering is a lot of speakers, music, and seminars on activism. It was interesting to see the locals out selling food but not supporting the protest., and all the different causes that set up booths.

Camping was chilly and interesting. My co-trip leader and I held successful reflection sessions with the students, but only after she let them stop at the liquor store on the way to the campground – and I love her, but that complicated things. Especially when at 12:30 some students were singing drunkenly (and loudly) around the fire. Luckily in retrospect they think it is funny that I eventually made them poor water on the fire to quiet them down. Oops- they had to head into the tents!  It was cold- about 20 degrees- overnight.

The protest on Sunday is traditionally about mourning all the people who have been killed by SOA militants. 20,000 people carried white crosses, and after leaders read the name of each person recorded, in unison the crowd chants “PRESENTE!”, we marched to the gates of the military base and hung the crosses on the gates while we were watched by the men in military uniform. It was a powerful reminder of just how many people have been killed by the SOA. The students were very moved by the demonstration, the name reading went on for over five hours.

In the end the bus ride back was long, but had no major incidents. I felt towards the end of the trip that I had seen every gas station bathroom between here and Georgia and I just really wanted to sleep in a real bed. But the trip was valuable. I got to know a lot of students that I will work with and I think that the students learned a lot about the School of the America and about all the complex ways our government’s policies impact people all over the world.

Perks of the Position

Just a few reasons why I like my new position at the small college:

Tai Chi Monday 5-6 pm

Yoga Tuesday 12-1 pm

Ultimate Frisbee pick-up for staff and faculty Tuesday 12-1 pm

Yoga Wednesday 7:30-8:30 am

Yoga Thursday 12-1 pm

Free use of the renovated workout center for both myself and my spouse.

Free lunches every first Wednesday and Thursdays of the month.

Reduced lunches for staff and faculty every day of the year.

Too bad husband and I already have our master's degrees, because those are free for us as well.

The list goes on... I could get used to this.

Happy Voting Eve

On the eve of another major election, I wish everyone a great election day tomorrow.

I always feel a great sense of anticipation for the day that everyone decends on the polls. It seems like such an amazing right and responsibility. I can't help but want to celebrate all the people who take time out of their lives to do their civic duty.

So it is my sincere hope for you that if no other time than tomorrow you relish your freedom to submit a ballot that is secret, that has real choices on it, and that it is illegal no matter what job you have, to be prevented from voting because of your work hours.

Although I don't always feel proud of the people who I share this country with, I can't help but to be incredibly proud of our governmental system. Even though as a former government teacher I can site all the issues with many of our practices: the electoral college, the two party system, campaign finance, voter apathy, and many more, I can't help but take great joy in the first Tuesday after the first Monday of the Month of November. Doesn't it seem like one of the greatest things about our country?

Tomorrow I will spend about 14 or 15 hours at my precinct ensuring that everyone that lives in my neighborhood can vote. Although I will end up exhausted and tired of finding registered voters in the list, I will revel in having participated in a truly wonderful tradition.

So, Happy Voting to you all and to all a great, historic outcome that reflects the voice of this country! Enjoy every second of it!