La Luta Continua

  

     The struggle for equality is one that all humans face; whether it be trying to break the double standard between men and women, struggling to attain equal wages for all workers, alleviating prejudices towards different races, or fighting for equal rights for gays and lesbians, among others. In some countries this struggle is less apparent, more subtle in skimming the surface of our social awareness. In Africa, it hits you over the head with a hammer (literally). On January 26th 2011, David Kato, a prominent LGBT activist was brutally killed inside his home. This marks a very sad day for a community that spends their lives fighting for equal rights, against a nation that remains deaf to their pleas.
    This is not a story about a person that simply wants to be called nicer names, it is a story of a homosexual man against an entire nation that refuses to budge in their strong, prejudicial beliefs. In North America we see how hard the LGBT community fights to have the opportunity to get married and have families, or to simply live their lives without the stigma of the evil eye against them. However, Africa faces a whole new set of issues, escaladed to the extreme. People like Kato must fight to stay out of prison for being who they are, fight against a population who wishes the death penalty against them, and fight against a system that continues to oppress and berate them day-after-day. It is not enough to be looked down upon, one must be ‘hung’ also.
    The Globe and Mail reports on the death astound me. How can the prominent Ugandan newspaper, The Rolling Stone, publish an article exposing 100 gay persons to a clearly hateful public, with a headline streaming “hang them”. I doubt something like this would ever be publishable in a North American newspaper, with its various human rights guidelines. What baffles me more is how the editor, Giles Muhame’s, could deny his part in the murder, claiming it was not what he intended. Then go further to say, “There has been a lot of crime, it may not be because he is gay. We want the government to hang people who promote homosexuality, not for the public to attack them. We said they should be hanged, not stoned or attacked.” It is funny how the government slaying people is alright, but civilians doing the same goes beyond some higher moral code.
    BBC News illustrates an even more shocking view, one that spits on the grave of an already dehumanized being. Priest, Thomas Musoke, preached to the gay community at Kato‘s funeral saying, "you must repent. Even the animals know the difference between a male and a female”. Although the scorn of homosexuality is not isolated to this faith, it takes on new meaning in this context. I beg to ask the question, what ever happened to all human life being sacred in the eyes of God? Apparently equality was not what Jesus preached at all.
    What about the police’s role? The investigation into his murder is clearly one that is swept under the rug, as Uganda’s police spokeswoman, Judith Nabakooba, claims, “At the moment, we think theft is the most likely motive” (BBC News). That motive somehow seems fishy to me, considering all the death threats Kato received after his homosexuality was publicized. This makes me wonder, are the police fighting for justice? Or are they shrouding a issue that they simply do not want fixed? Considering the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that the African parliament is questioning whether to enforce, and the illegality of homosexuality in 37 African countries as it is, it is difficult not to assume the latter.
    It is sad to hear that a person who devoted his life to changing the face of a very prejudicial world, lost his life fighting for the same cause. Was it a lifetime wasted? Or did humanity learn something from his tragic death? Can equality ever be attained in Africa? Or is this too much to hope for? These questions, I wish I could answer with a positive air.

To read more about these heated articles, follow the links: 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/ugandan-gay-activist-beaten-to-death-after-threats/article1884393/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12306077

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/01/27/uganda-promptly-investigate-killing-prominent-lgbt-activist

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders

Pay It Forward!

     As promised, my little acts of kindness. Curious about Joanne’s proposition to the ‘Beyond Borders Crew’ to perform a kind gesture to a stranger over the Christmas break, I decided to try out her suggestion. One night before work I made my occasional Timmies run, and saw a middle-aged man waiting behind me in his truck in the drive-thru line. It was not much, but it felt good buying his coffee for him without his knowledge. I do not actually know what his reaction was --it was dark and I was running late-- but I assume he was confused as to why a random would buy him his drink. In all honesty, it did not really matter what his reaction was, I did not do it to see his reaction or to get a thank you. I did it because a lot of times people focus on money like it is a force that governs their lives, so they must hold onto every penny. Yes, humans need money to live, but often times they forget that it is not the most important thing. While this act is nothing life changing, it is one step towards the vision I desire for our world.
    The night before our first class at The Working Centre, I wanted to make sure I knew where it was prior to so I would not be late. So one night I drove down with my brother, and then parked at the Mary’s Driving School parking lot after I had found it to try to determine what root is the fastest root to get take. While doing so, a man came up to the car and lifted his finger. I was unsure of what he was doing because it looked like he was signalling ‘wait a minute’. So finally my brother rolled down the window slightly. The man roughly told us his story.
     He just got out of a 11 year sentence in prison, and was wondering if we could spare $0.25. He stepped back to show us he was not threatening. I was confused at the amount he asked for. What could he do with $0.25? Phone calls cost more then that now-a-days. So instead I gave him as much as I had on me, $7 worth. When he received the money he asked “really?” as if he could not believe my kindness. To me it was nothing, to him it was something. He shook my hand and thanked me profusely, then as he walked away I wondered if he was being genuine. Often times people wonder if their good deeds are going to good causes. Sometimes we just have to hope that they do. I watched him walk away and saw him meet up with a friend waiting nearby. This sparked doubts in my mind, made me think that my money was going towards something other then food. But then I thought about how threatening it would seem if two men came up to my car. Would I have still opened up my wallet to them? Probably not. Maybe they realized this theory. I drove home with a clear head, knowing that at least I tried to help someone who asked for it, regardless of their motives.
    The next day when we were taking a tour of St. John’s Kitchen, I spotted the same man outside the building that was outside my car window. It is often difficult to distinguish the crooks from the needy, that is true. But how would you feel if you turned someone away that was genuinely in need?

PAY IT FORWARD!

Appearances and Realities

     They walk in, line up, take their place amongst the others. I look at their faces, wondering what has led them to this place. What series of events have been strung together in their lives to lead them to the doors of St. John’s Kitchen? Did they lose their house or job? Do they suffer from addictions they cannot manage? Or did something else happen to them? Their struggles are written all over their weather beaten faces, yet their faces are not as grim as one would expect. They grab their trays and their plates and patiently make their way down to get food. Every mouth opens with a “yes please, thank you”. Maybe what their faces illuminated for me was a sense of humility and gentleness, an image that their bodies did not likewise express. One man even jokes, “I will not die today” to the staff and volunteers. This lightly spoken line is one that rings through my mind like a gong waking me from a daze. The humorous manner in which it is spoken does not lighten the harsh reality of what is said. The irony is that they are in a constant battle with death. Daily they fight to put food in their bellies, and to hide from the harsh winter winds that threaten their health and well being. Yet they did not project their negative circumstances into negative energy on those who were behind the counter serving them. We are the outsiders after all. They looked not with judgment or anger, but with gratitude. That is one thing I did not expect.
    My first impression of St. John’s Kitchen: Ummm? I was a little taken aback when I first met the coordinator, let us call her ‘Aesthetics’. She was not expecting me, and was wondering why I was there and why she had no knowledge of my placement. I was intimidated by her at first, but then when “Pink Panther” showed up, and she began to joke saying, “oooww he’s cuteee, look at his arm muscles and pecks. Men are aesthetically pleasing for me” I could not help but laugh and loosen my opinion of her.
    When I finally got my sexy hairnet and apron on I felt quite lost because everyone was running around and I had no clue what to do or where to start! With a little help from ‘J-dawg’, another volunteer, I slowly took to action. I swept, prepared food, and served. It was an interesting first soup kitchen experience, and three hours well spent! I am looking forward to going back and seeing how things change over the course of the term.

Reach Out, Mbuya. Reach Out!

   
    My first reaction: tears. Tears not of sadness or of pain, but of overwhelming joy. It is funny how one word, one name, can have such an effect on a person. Uganda -- that is all it took to satisfy months of waiting, months of sleepless nights. Finally I know what it is I have been stressing over, vigorously reading for, and pumping my body with redbulls for, over the last couple months. It is with this word that I shed some of the earlier doubts I may have had about this experience being the right one for me.
    When I received the email regarding my placement, it took so much effort not to rapidly scroll to the bottom to read the long awaited news. I held my bearings, just in case my negative feelings were right, and I would have to prepare myself for adjusting my expectations. Although all the countries available --Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Uganda, India, Peru-- would have been extremely rewarding, my heart was set on two. When I saw “you will be going to the Reach Out Mbuya in Mbuya, Uganda”, I definitely had a little solitary dance party in my sisters living room. After sitting in shock and mildly hyperventilating for a couple minutes, that is. I got one of my choices!
    I am very excited to work with Reach Out Mbuya, a faith-based non-government  organization in south-eastern Africa that helps the poor, urban victims of HIV/AIDS deal with their day to day struggles. Not only does this organization work towards prolonging their lives as long as possible, their holistic approach to healing is very inspiring. They not only deal with the physical pains of living with the disease, but also work to nourish the mind, body, and soul of a population that has lost hope in their lives.
    I am not naive to the fact that I will not make a huge change in the large scheme of things in a time span of three months down there, but I will fight with all my heart for all those who are suffering, for all those who simply need someone to be there through it all. I recognize that this experience will open doors that I may never have wanted open. Doors that many people distance themselves from because they hide certain truths that distress them, and make them question the state of the world they live in. But it is about time that those doors were opened, that the secret struggles of a population are revealed. It is only when we open our eyes to the pain of others that we can learn to connect with those different from ourselves. And who knows, maybe learn that despite it all, we are not as different as we originally thought.
    Although I will have to face many challenges and heart wrenching situations in Uganda, I hope that through it all I can learn and grow as a person, see things in another light, and appreciate everything I have been given in life so much more. I have a feeling that this experience will change my life forever. There is no turning back now. Uganda here I come!
  
    If you are interested in what this wonderful organization is doing, and would like to learn more: http://www.reachoutmbuya.org/index.php

You Are Stronger Then You Think You Are

    Life is full of unrecognized opportunities. Opportunities we let slip from our fingers because of fears we let govern our lives. Those fears cripple us, force us into corners where our deeply rooted desires and dreams are suppressed. We walk around feeling like shells because what we fear most of all is jumping out of the comforts of our lives, and jumping into something unfamiliar-- an uncharted territory, a road less traveled. If we think about the sublimity of a vast ocean --the depths, the darkness-- we fear what may be hiding beneath the surface. Fears like this take over our bodies and our minds, creating shackles that we ourselves fasten. They prevent us from rising up to our full potential and acting against the injustices we see in the world. I have lived a life of fear for most of my life. In all honesty, I still live life this way. I let my dreams fall by the wayside, let the uncertainties of life create uncertainties within myself. It is true what they say, we are our own worse enemies. I know this because I feel it every time I get an idea in my head. The little voice comes out, “you are not good enough, you can’t do this”.
    The day I heard about Beyond Borders was one of the scariest days of my life, not because I learned of the challenges that I may face living alone in a foreign, impoverished country, but because it was an opportunity I knew I wanted so badly, an opportunity that I knew would be challenged by the little devil within myself, coming to persuade me to cower like I always do. I fought every ounce of doubt, because for the first time I was not going to let the fear win. This is my life, I will live it.
    The first step I took was applying and receiving an interview. Those who know me know that I am terrified of interviews. I will avoid them at all costs. It is hard to persuade people to believe in you when you do not fully believe in yourself. I told myself I was not going to get it, told myself that if I did not get accepted I would leave the University of Waterloo, and hope for more luck in Toronto. Yes, a part of it was me running. When I got accepted I was both filled with joy and panic, because I knew this meant I would have to face those demons that have been harboured in me for so long. They could no longer be shoved in a corner. I remember the night before our first class last term vividly, I did not sleep a wink. I could not let go of the thoughts of inadequacy for an experience like this. Our first class I could barely introduce myself without stuttering. Next, the dreaded presentation. In high school I nearly blacked out twice while presenting, so you can imagine how thrilled I was at the concept of potentially doing it a third time. I did not even go overseas yet, and I already faced some of the biggest challenges I could imagine for myself. To some these are like walking on a cloud, but they pushed me beyond belief.
    I was hoping, in this blog, to describe the ‘simple acts of kindness’ that I have completed over the Christmas break, but that will have to wait until next time, since I like to go off in tangents! I will instead leave you with a final thought. For all those who are trapped in the chambers you yourselves create: there is a way out. Fight for all the dreams you have, and do not let the opportunities slip through your fingers. It is the biggest injustice you can do to yourself.