Education over Industry

What is education? The definition provided in the Canadian Dictionary is “a development in knowledge, skill, ability or character by teaching, training, study or experience”.  Since I was only five years old, my life has revolved around school.  I am 21 years old, and while my life has taken alternative routes along the way, I have constantly been drawn back to the path that is education.   However, over the past few months, I have become rather dissatisfied with the institution of education. 

There was not a particular incident that was a catalyst for this great dissatisfaction that has gained strength over the past few months; but about three weeks ago, as pressures began to mount regarding final assignments, I suddenly felt myself move into pilot mode.  I would awake at 8:00 am to the glaring beep of my alarm, get dressed, walk to school with i-pod in ear, without a single care of the people passing me by.  I would go to class, raise my hand at the right times and answer with the right answers.  I did not even acknowledge that I was in this mode until one Tuesday afternoon when I went to visit one of my professors regarding a midterm that I wanted to improve upon.  There was one particular question on the midterm that I did not seem to answer to the full expectations of the professor.  I distinctly remember asking “What do you want?”.  The prof responded by stating “I want you to decide what you want”.  This response seemed odd and a bit frustrating to me at the time because I was so used to professors fully explaining their expectations and then giving us “room” to regurgitate the information provided in class and in the text.  As I continued to reflect upon that response, I began to question how I came to this point.  How did I become someone who is okay with simply taking a professor’s opinion as fact without finding my own truth?  When did I choose to think in conventional ways? When did I decide to choose marks above and beyond personal truth?

As I began to ponder these things, I thought of one place where the people are not ruled by straight lines or limiting boundaries.  I volunteer at an after-school program that promotes healthy activity combined with a healthy mind on Thursday afternoons.  The children that participate in this program are kids who do not have the best discipline and who find it difficult to listen to instructions, they find it hard to follow the rules.  At times, these Thursday afternoons can be frustrating to me, as an adult who is so accustomed to simply giving instructions and expecting them to be followed…however, that is simply not how these kids work.  They do not let others speak for them; rather they stand up for what they desire, where their passions lie.  They choose to run in a circle instead of a straight line; they choose to stand up rather than sit down.  Now, I understand that rules are instilled in children from a small age so that they can learn self-discipline, respect for authority, and it clearly assists in the facilitation of classroom learning; however, I wonder if the desire for chaos that is so readily available in children can be obtained once again in adulthood?

I came to university to learn.  However, that thirst for knowledge has become something quite different.  The desire for that piece of paper that has my name written on it has become my life’s goal.  Lately, I have felt that the thousands of dollars that each of us pay for our education is really for a piece of white paper with some ink and a signature scratched on the bottom.  The education system has become an industry.  How do I get that childlike curiosity back? How do I move from a place of pure autonomy, to a place that craves community within my university experience? How do I strip myself of the fears that might “get me in trouble”, and simply do? How do I walk in a circle or stand up when I’m supposed to sit down?   

I am a woman.

           I am a woman.  I will not hide that I am a woman; rather, I declare that I am a woman.  I choose to live life, celebrating my form.  As I grew up, my mother always told me to “reclaim my body”.  She would tell me to celebrate my inner and outer beauty, not to hide behind it.    However, we live in a society that often encourages women to hide their sexuality so that they can be taken seriously within the corporate sphere.  Women who choose to use their beauty for the pleasure of others are often criticized and disregarded by consumers.

Women became “persons” under the law in Canada in 1929.  Since that time, the rights of women have dramatically changed; however, discrimination does continue to occur.  I was reminded of this fact a few weeks ago, when I found a poster, created by an anonymous source, criticizing women in power. The poster had a picture of Marie Curie along with an atomic bomb.  Above the photo there was  the title, “The Truth”.  At the bottom of the poster it read, “The brightest Women this Earth ever created was Marie Curie, The Mother of the Nuclear Bomb.  You tell me if the plan of Women leading Men is still a good idea!”.  My immediate reaction to finding this poster was to rip it down, and tear it into a thousand small pieces so that it would never be seen again.  However, even after tearing this poster up, the idea that women continue to be oppressed within the 21^st century, in a place where equality is supposed to thrive, stuck with me.  I have lived my life in such ignorance because I have never experienced a moment where I truly felt oppressed due to my womanhood.  But on that day, I felt completely destroyed. 

                As I began to lose more and more sleep over this realization that women are still being oppressed, I began to reflect on what “being a woman” means to me, as a Canadian citizen, compared to women in India.  Much like in Canada, women in India have overcome a history that is filled with oppression.  In modern day India, women are said to participate in most activities like education, sports, art, etc.  Women have also held important offices within the political realm (i.e. Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister of India for a period of fifteen years – she is the world’s longest serving woman Prime Minister).  However, even amidst the great strides that India has taken over the past millennia, their movement did not pick up speed until the late 1970s.  In 1979, a policeman was accused of raping a young girl in a police station.  The acquittal of this policeman led to widespread protests and feminism activism in India began to greatly increase.  This led to a change in the Criminal Code Procedure within India and it also helped to unite female activists over important issues such as gender bias, women health, and female literacy.  In 2001, the Indian Government declared that year the Year of Women’s Empowerment.  In addition, the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women was passed in 2001.  This history clearly shows that equality between men and women in India has become much closer in the past few years.  However, regardless of this information, one question still remains within my Western mind…Do the clothes that these women wear stunt their ability to be seen equal to men?  In India, the traditional garb for women is called the “Sari”.  This luxurious piece of clothing is draped over one shoulder, leaving the midriff bare.  In addition, women are expected to have coverings that reach their feet and often a head covering is worn as well.  In the Western world, an open midriff would be seen as quite scandalous when worn in a classroom or even at a celebration. 

So…what is modesty?  Is modesty truly a personal preference or is it strategically manipulated by the culture where we live?  Out of respect for the Indian culture, I will most definitely wear their traditional garb; however, I wonder if, in wearing this garb, I will feel trapped or liberated? Will I feel immodest to bare my midriff or will I forget this Western norm?  Will my entire notion of “what is modesty” shift when I return to Western civilization?

Change is scary...but that's okay!

           This past week, I was talking with an old friend; we were discussing the future and what that looks like for both of us.  My friend explained that she was utterly terrified of what was to come because “everything was going to change”.  Right now, my life seems to revolve around this word.  Everyone keeps telling me that “my life will change because of my time in India”; but what if I don’t want to change? What if I am actually afraid of change?  After our discussion, I continued to think a lot about change and how people deal with change.  In my head, I think of change as something beautiful.  It is something that allows new life to grow, it makes room for new relationships, and it pursues strength through uncomfortable situations.  But if this is true, why do we constantly yearn for a schedule? Why do our bodies work in a way that wakes us up at 8:00am and allows us to grow drowsy at 11:00pm? Why do we choose to live the way that the masses live?  Why are we so afraid of a six letter word that is supposed to lead to unlimited possibilities? 

                I have discovered, through a few sleepless nights, that change is super scary but I think that that’s okay.  I know some of you may think I’m crazy; that something that that makes you lose sleep, refrain from eating and sometimes even vomit is “okay”, but let me explain…

                Just about two and a half years ago, I went on a very brief trip to Ecuador.  When the trip was over, Brian, one of the leaders on the trip, introduced me to his friends in his Canadian home.  However, he not only introduced me to the amazing people that would soon turn into my family; rather, he invited me into this community of friends and gave me space to grow with these new people in a transformative way.  In September of 2009, I moved into a little white townhouse with people I had never met before with a whole lot of faith in change.  I never could have guessed that the people that I moved in with would soon become the people that helped to shape me into who I am today.  As I began to reflect upon how much I have changed over the last few years, I am truly amazed at the difference.  I am so thankful for those people who have truly grown into my family over the past couple of years.  I know that sometimes the chaos of life can make me forget the amazing treasures that I have found in the people who make up my community, so I would like to take a moment to say Thank you:

Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to be “me” even if that is someone very different from everyone else.  Thank you for your honest questions, especially the ones that I am uncomfortable answering.  Thank you for your celebration of awkward moments...through clapping or the “turtle”.  Thank you for sharing your life experiences with me.  Thank you for protecting me and standing up for me at times.  Thank you for challenging me to live a life without judgement.  Thank you for expecting me to be “real”.  Thank you for letting me call in the middle of the night.  Thank you for teaching me and seeing my immaturity as a blessing.  Thank you for loving me and sharing life with me.  Thank you for your acceptance.  Thank you for laughing with me, thank you for hurting with me.  Thank you for doing life with me.

                So, to be completely honest…right now is the most scared I have ever been in my entire life.  This fear comes out of a place of uncomfortability, loneliness and my inability to control what the future may hold.  However, through reflection over the past two years, I have discovered that without taking that leap, I would never have become the individual that I am today.  I challenge you all to thank those in your life this week who have helped you to change.  I challenge you understand that fear, many times, accompanies change…but so does new, amazing, incredible opportunities.  It’s okay to fear change, just don’t let that fear immobilize you.

p.s. I have decided to swap the word “change” for “growth”.  It sounds a little less scary, anyone agree?

                 

What would you look like?

            This summer I will be working at an orphanage in Madurai, South India.  The children in this orphanage are known to be a part of the community of “Untouchables”, which essentially means they have leprosy.  To be completely honest, before I learned about my placement, I did not know a lot about the leprosy community around the globe.  In the West, we are quite ignorant of this disease because it simply is not a threat; however, this is not the case for many around the world.  Here is some information that I discovered through my research:

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy is an infectious disease that is caused by Mycobacterium leprae.  Leprosy primarily affects the body’s nervous system and is highly concentrated on the cooler parts of the body.  Many times, the affected areas include the skin, the eyes and muscles in the hands and feet.  As the disease progresses, debilitation of the hands and feet can occur.   

Can Leprosy be transmitted easily?

There is a common myth that leprosy is easily transmitted.  However, that is simply not the case.  Leprosy is very difficult to transmit and normally, it takes a long time before any symptoms occur.  About 95% of the population are naturally immune to the disease.  Children are much more susceptible to this disease. 

Is there a cure?

There is a cure.  Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is a blend of drugs that is effective in killing all known strains of leprosy bacteria.  This blend can be given to an individual from 6 months-2 years depending on the severity of the disease.  The isolation in “leper colonies” for victims of leprosy is completely unnecessary.

How are people affected by leprosy?

People with leprosy are not only physically affected by the disease; but also socially.  The myths and stigmas that surround this disease have remained strong throughout history even though many of their claims simply have no merit.  Many times, people with leprosy are humiliated and are often quite afraid of going out in public.  Sometimes, people with leprosy are so fearful of the shame that accompanies going out in public, they often go into hiding which makes it more difficult to get the medication needed to prevent this disease from progressing.   

            Even amidst this information, as I stated before, the stigma that continues to exist regarding leprosy is overwhelming. In India alone, more than 160 million individuals are considered “Untouchable”.  The community of the “Untouchables” are individuals who have been deemed from birth that they are dirty, defective, impure.   In India, those with leprosy, are known as “Dalits”.  The abuse and victimization that these individuals face just breaks my heart.  One of the headlines from an Indian newspaper read: “Dalit boy beaten to death for plucking flowers”.   Dalits in India live in awful conditions and are constantly being faced with the possibility of humiliation.  90% of all poor Indians and 95% of illiterate Indians are Dalits.  India’s National Crime Records Bureau indicated that every hour, two Dalits are assaulted; every day, three Dalit women are raped, two Dalits are murdered and two Dalit homes are torched.  This consistent violence against the Dalit community seems so unnecessary, especially when leprosy is a disease that can be treated quite easily.

            The question that remains unanswered is why this disease continues to hold such a strong stigma amidst its curability.  As I was pondering this question, the answer seemed to jump out right in front of me, both literally and figuratively.  As I was driving home earlier this afternoon to see my mother, I drove past fast-food restaurants, outlet malls, and of course Tim Hortans’.  As I continued to think about this question as I was driving, I stopped at a red light and as I glanced over to my right-hand side, I saw two massive billboards that were advertising new beauty products.  I did not realize until later, that these signs hold the answer to my question.  As I discussed earlier, leprosy can cause disfiguration of the face and body; therefore, of course it maintains its strength within the contemporary world.  Beauty, within modernity, is what determines opportunity, courage and eventually, a mate.  Beauty is defined, within material culture, as something that establishes social class, economic stability and even happiness.  But what if, going along with my theme of stripping myself of the comforts of life, society decided to re-define beauty? What if beauty on the outside was flipped inward, and the beauty of the heart replaced our faces? I wonder what I would look like? I challenge you to think about what you might look like as well?