I think I sounded a bit bitter in my last post; a friend of mine here told me I should take the edge off a bit, and I think he's right...just get so angry irritated sometimes. It reminds me of when I was visiting home in Decemeber and I started venting to Dad about an editorial in the paper that pledged continued support towards the Iraq war. After listening to me for about 5 minutes, he was like "Kate, you've gotten get a life, babe." So, so true. In this case as well, no doubt.
Moving on, life is progressing at its usual ambling pace. I managed to have a beer in my hand for St. Patrick's Day- a small miracle as the people here are not big drinkers, to say the least. I've also been reading loads of good books of late- G. Greene's "A Burnt-Out Case," "The Brothers K," (I read it around this time last year, as I recall) Z. Smith's "White Teeth," and a Kenyan author- Ngugi- who's my new favorite of the month. If you can hunt down a copy of "Weep Not Child" or "A Grain of Wheat," you won't be disappointed.
More soon, much love,
kt
Moving on, life is progressing at its usual ambling pace. I managed to have a beer in my hand for St. Patrick's Day- a small miracle as the people here are not big drinkers, to say the least. I've also been reading loads of good books of late- G. Greene's "A Burnt-Out Case," "The Brothers K," (I read it around this time last year, as I recall) Z. Smith's "White Teeth," and a Kenyan author- Ngugi- who's my new favorite of the month. If you can hunt down a copy of "Weep Not Child" or "A Grain of Wheat," you won't be disappointed.
More soon, much love,
kt
posted by Katie at 2:49 PM
2 Comments:
I'm not sure 'bitter' would be the proper term to use. I'd say more like frustrated. Although I might not have used the word "racist" to describe T, I can also understand the reason behind the use of such a word. In thinking over the article a little more I did come to the same conclusion although I think it's not a conscious or even the stereotypical type of "racism."
Given my wealth of knowledge on the topic, I would have to say that a soccer ball here and there could in no way harm anything; after all it IS "The World's Game."
In all seriousness though, having wondered numerous times passing by that house on Rosewood where the big tree used to be, it is an awesome feeling to find out that someone you had a lot of respect for is now doing something that nearly all well-meaning people talk of doing but only a precious few follow through with – not to mention a bit of envy on my part ;)
Hang in there KT, you've got more to be proud of and more reason to have that "edge" to be taken off than anyone I have the pleasure of calling friend. And for heaven sakes listen to your father, I know I learned a lot from him :)
I know you've got more to do and probably not enough time to do it in, not to mention what you do or don't have to do it with. But if you ever need a middle of the road conservative's ear (or shoulder) to use, mine is all yours!
If you ever need it the email is kevin_russell@yahoo.com.
I am looking forward to getting through more of your blog and reading anything you get the chance to put up.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF (and those around you ;)
Much love!
Kevin R
(Bet you NEVER saw this one coming ;)
Since when did “bitter” and “critical thinking” get crossed? I was very glad to read this post, to read that you are urging people to see below the surface of the issues you face on a daily basis. Yes, we can all see that L.T. probably thinks he’s doing a great service to the world, certainly an opinion the reporter held. But his three weeks of hippo-jerky hand outs and soccer balls really only touch the tip of the iceberg – a looming obstacle that I’m not convinced he has the capacity (experiential, not mental) to grasp.
This is an illustration of many debates within the development field. From our privileged perspective, we see people who are disadvantaged in the ways we value (and through the monoculturalization of the heavily debated globalization, we have encouraged them to share our values, whether or not it appropriately meshes in with their culture). We want to help, so we take action. There is no time to waste, and yet we take action too soon, before we are able to assess what progress means in this community and this culture.
Completely generic example, if there is such a thing: If we think women should be employed, we start spreading the idea and setting up co-operatives, creating micro-finance loans for women, and feel the warm glow of pride when we see women at work. Little to we realize we’ve doubled their load, as they are still raising children, taking care of homes and meals, etc. On top of that, the men control the micro loans anyway, putting them in a position to assert more power over the household. Geesh – what a mess! No wonder Ivan Illich so precisely addressed an audience with a speech known as “To Hell with Good Intentions”
Is it a catch 22 or simply a tricky road? Either ways, it is a path that so many of us are compelled to wander down. I do not think this is a bad thing, but it can be misleading when the participants are not equipped with critical thinking. KT, you demonstrated yours in your observation about the impact of giving children gifts that lead them towards begging. Of course, the issue is likely more complex than I can understand from across an ocean, but at least it’s something you realize and incorporate into your life as you chose your own actions. You’re changing, my dear, (how could you not?) and I’m very proud of you.
So perhaps I am the bitter one. Or perhaps you can see the shards of a post-modernist education in sustainable development. Enough now.
With love,
Dayle
Dayle7@gmail.com
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