My Fellow Humans….
It’s been just about one year since I set off on this adventure of living and working in Morocco. While I’m sure the normal thing to do would be to write a post about all the things that have happened in the past year and reflect on my life and Morocco…. I’m just not in the mood for that right now (I promise pictures and stories coming soon). Instead, I think I’ll chat a little bit about current events and the way we live with each other on this world of ours.
As I read the news today, I see that there have been protests around Northern Africa and the Middle East over a film produced in the United States. Before I go any further I should remind you that “The contents of this website express personal opinions and do not reflect positions of the United States or the Peace Corps”.
I’m not going to make a right or wrong statement about the film (I haven’t seen it). I’m not going to make a right or wrong statement about the reaction in the Muslim world (though I will say I’m a little more sensitive to that reaction in that I currently live in the Muslim world).
What I’ve been thinking the last 15 hours or so is that, as humans, we really must start defining ourselves more by the things that make us similar than those that make us different. This isn’t a new idea, and I’m certainly not the first person to bring this to your attention, but it’s become a much more tangible part of my existence over the past year.
I spend much of my day-to-day life observing all the things that are so very different about living in Morocco. I look at Moroccans and still manage to see them as “others”. Now there are certainly things that I would change about this country; corruption, the education system, and women’s rights to name a few. But when I really look around at the individuals that I meet here in Rich, all I see are people just like you and me. My neighbor across the street tends to hang out by the local hannut (bo-de-ga) and reminds me, each time I see him, of my Uncle Paul (the man exudes kindness and caring). The student that swings by my house to explain his new idea for a car motor that runs off nothing but magnetic power is the Moroccan incarnation of my friend Dave in high school (a young man who would preach of the financial goldmine that could be the carbonated soup market). When I have had the pleasure to eat with a Moroccan mother I am constantly reminded of my friend’s mother Sara (the similarities between Jewish and Muslim mothers do not end with my overly full stomach).
So often in our everyday lives we use the essential (and necessary) tool of grouping people together in order to simplify situations. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard “Suburban Soccer Mom” working in politics I’d be a wealthy man. We group people together because we lack the capacity to take in every individual we see and make a true evaluation. It’s just easier to see a Muslim and check the mental “Muslim” box in your head.
I don’t have a problem with grouping, it’s an important skill to use. But the next time you see that “Muslim”, do your best to see the ways that this “Muslim” is similar to you, not just different. Maybe he’s also a “Teacher” or a “Father”.
Yesterday, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer that served in Morocco from 1983-1985 was killed. His name was Christopher Stevens and he was the United States Ambassador to Libya. He was killed because some “Muslims” saw him as just another “American” standing behind a film made by some “Jews”.
I hope we “Humans” can do better than that in the future.
Taylor
Hey Tay! Reading this makes me realize that you epitomize what the “PEACE” Corps is all about. I am encouraged and hopeful that with enough elevation in consciousness and concern for each other, we will someday bridge the gap and turn conflict into collaboration, wariness into acceptance, and singleminded thinking into global understanding. Alana and I still tell the story of Dave’s carbonated soup and we laugh each time we think of the enthusiasm he had for promoting his idea. It sparked an awareness of creative thinking we all should have. We need to get out of our comfortable little worlds and minds and learn about the lives and cultures with which we share the planet. Perhaps it starts with smiling at a stranger, offering to feed the poor and hungry, becoming educated about the customs and spiritual beliefs of those we don’t understand, helping others to help themselves, or embarking on our own spiritual journeys to become kinder, simpler, more giving human beings. Thank you, Taylor. You and the ones I know and love like you constantly renew my faith in the future. AND….when you get home this Jewish mama has a special meal planned just for you!
September 12, 2012 at 2:41 pm
You write so wonderfuly. And you are so right about people. People are so blinded. It makes me sick that we cant all get along. People are people and as much as I would like to make everyone in the world understand the saying “To each there own”. Its sad that people think there way of life is the ONLY way. Sad very sad.
September 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm
I will be holding you to that meal! Great to hear from you and thanks for your thoughts all those nice things you said about me! Hope all is well.
September 13, 2012 at 11:54 am
I am a Muslim American who recently returned from serving 2 years as a PCV in Botswana. Islam is an important part of my identity as is being American. My faith is one of the reasons I joined the Peace Corps! I am frustrated that terrorist acts like these are representing my religion. It is up to you (PCVs who are serving in Muslims countries) to fullfill goals 2 and 3 of the PC not just on behalf of Americans, but on behalf of all Muslims around the world. Thank you for writing this piece!
September 13, 2012 at 12:58 am
Parisa – The Peace Corps seems to be under a good amount of political and financial pressure to focus more on Goal 1 these days but I’m constantly amazed at the changes in my perspective that happen every day. I don’t think a person can live in another culture without accomplishing some of Goald 2 and 3 as well. Hope your return to the US is going smoothly and congrats on COSing! Thanks for the comment.
September 13, 2012 at 11:58 am
Well said TD!
September 13, 2012 at 2:40 am