Sherry’s response to LER 4

Don Williams Jr., an American novelist, once said, “The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”  What an incredible journey this class has taken me on! Words and images are forever imprinted in my heart and soul.  This class has opened my eyes.  As Arundhati Roy so eloquently stated, “The trouble is that once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And once you’ve seen it, keeping quiet, saying nothing, becomes as political an act as speaking out.” Ask anyone on my school staff or in my circle of friends how happy they are that this class is almost over because they are uncomfortable by the topics of discussion I bring to them after each class.  Unbeknownst to them, the conversations will not stop with the class.  I can’t go back to my personally responsible citizen status as coined by Dr. Westheimer.  I don’t fit in that “box” anymore.

How did I live in a world and not see it? Dr. Bill Ayers provided the answer when he stated that privilege is an anaesthetizing thing and you don’t see things in the same way when you have it. How profound and true! I think back to reading Jamaica Kincaid’s reaction to tourism in Jamaica and remember how I was guilty of so many things she had mentioned being a tourist with a blindfold on. I think back to learning about the amazing Dr. Vandana Shiva and sharing her passion for farmers and the seed they grow. Giant bullies like Monsanto were examined. Wow… how naive I was. This led me to remember the gifted Dr. Ignacio Chapela, who took on Goliath and won. Awe-inspiring, humble heroes! There were many other guests and readings that I have not mentioned but that had profound affects on me as well.

To conclude, I found another quote by Arundhati Roy that seems to fit with my new way of thinking. I am forever changed thanks to this experience.
To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never, to forget.

It’s been a pleasure being in this class with all of you.