Uninformed Activism

Activism is exploding across the globe. From the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street, people are stepping up internationally to challenge social injustices and human rights violations. Now with the proposal of two bills: SOPA/PIPA, everyone is in a viral uproar about the infringement on their personal freedoms. But I wonder, how many of these concerned citizens have read the proposed bills? And moreover, does it matter if they are not informed on the content of the bills?

I guess every activist movement needs the "foot soldiers" so to say. These people make up the majority of the movement, creating noise and gaining publicity in numbers. Then there are the leaders of a movement who are the informed speakers and representatives. Most people during the Civil Rights Movement didn't know much about legalities, but their presence in the marches, sit-ins, etc. is what made the movement happen. However, without MLK Jr. and his scholarship and incredible ability to go from a room full of lawyers to a church and explain and defend personal civil liberties, the movement also wouldn't have happened. But we are in a time of an information "utopia." Anything you could want to know is available on the internet at our disposal. So, should we hold these activists accountable to be more knowledgeable about their cause before preaching across social media networks? At this point, do these viral "foot soldiers" help add momentum to the movement because of their sheer number, or are they dismantling it slowly with their uninformed demands? 

It can be dangerous to discourage those people who taking an activist stance for the first time with challenging them on their scholarship. Maybe we should just be happy that someone is taking interest and spreading the word. But couldn't it be just as dangerous if they are spreading our message using inappropriate arguments? In the presidential election, should we be challenging people to get to know the candidates, or should we just be happy people are taking action and voting? 

Personally, I do challenge those who are joining an activist movement to learn it inside and out. I think in this day and age, with the current availability of information sharing, it is imperative that people know what they are standing for and why. If I don't know what I am taking a stand on, how do I know I am fighting on the right side?

"The only way to have a life is to commit to it like crazy" -Angelina Jolie

Back in Quito after la Navidad and New Year

Despite my consistent back-and-forth of whether or not to return to Quito...here I am! I am working at the hotel now as a social network manager (check us out at facebook page "Cafe Cultura" and "Exclusive Hotels and Haciendas of Ecuador") and continuing my work at the Fundacion Pachamama. I was so anxious about my return, but overall I'm glad I did. I'm not sure how I will balance out these two jobs in the next few months, but it will work itself out- always does.

While I was home I learned how fast three weeks can pass. Between trying to get time in with my mom's and dad's sides of the family, as well as making a brief trip up to Plattsburgh, I feel I was only home for a blink. I think I've blogged about this before, but the return home always seems to be much more culture shock than leaving home. It's like everybody's life just continued, sometimes continuing into a place where there is no space for me. Plus, it's kind of hard to hold a conversation with me unless you either 1- love me enough to sit quietly and listen to me ramble about my travels, or 2- you are actually interested in global climate change, indigenous cultural sharing, or sustainable economic development...the list of this kind of people is shorter than I had imagined. So, in that way it is a sort of relief to be back in Ecuador. I think I deal better with physical distance than the emotional distance. At least here I can disillusion myself to think that everyone else's life has stopped waiting for my return. Sometimes I really do prefer ignorance and disillusionment over painful realities.

Anyways, New Years...2012...the time for new resolutions and new beginnings! I have a few resolutions myself, that I think maybe if I make viral the public pressure may be enough for me to follow through with them (assuming anybody reads this, which I am...maybe disillusioning myself again but whatever, I think what I have to say is important...sometimes). So here goes:

1- Get a steady paying job in a field I am passionate about and/or an acceptance letter from a master's university (preferably The New School in NYC or UPeace in Costa Rica)

2- Run 4 miles in under 30 minutes

3- Spend 2012 single...meaning without a boyfriend, beau, or money/energy/blood-sucking leech

I'll add to that list as I think of things, but those are my big three for now. So, people, hold me to it! Lastly, here's a picture I took of a painting as I was walking in the park today. I would put the translation, but it will be so much better if you figure it out yourself.

Countdown

"agonizing loneliness characterizes the life of the pioneer"

It's been 5 months here, and I am ready for a vacation back to my home-town! Who knew I could actually miss that place?? Every day my anticipation and impatience grows. There is so much to think about, but all I can think about is getting there...

The dry toilet construction went really well. We flew out of Puyo to the community of Pumpuentsa where we had 5 days to construct 4 dry toilets. It was difficult, exhausting, and beautiful. At first it was difficult to get organized, but once we had the "man-power" we needed, it all went very smoothly. More appropriately, the "woman-power" was much more effective in construction. The cement mixing and tile-laying required a lot of patience and waiting, which it seemed to me the women were more adept. The men were a great help in building the structure and the roof. It was truly a community effort, and although it was tight, we finished just in time.

For me personally, I learned a lot from the trip. First of all, I've never built anything before, so that was really exciting. I also learned that scorpions like dirty clothes and if I get a bite I can go into a coma for 2 days...how close I came to being bit is too scary to recount. I also learned that there is a bug called coloradilla which buries under your skin and sucks your blood leaving you with little mosquito-bite looking bumps. FUN! Another first, I've never cooked over a fire before (other than s'mores but that doesn't really count). This trip required cooking on a fire pit 3 times a day every day. Despite the fact that we only had 5 or 6 ingredients, we managed to cook something different nearly every meal!

Outside of my trip building the toilets, there's been a lot happening. The fiestas of Quito just ended on the 6th. There was so much going on, it was unbelievable. There was a concert on every corner, chivas passing by constantly (chivas are open-air party buses), candelazo (delicious warm strong sweet drink), parades and dancing. It's been a great way to end my first trip to Ecuador. Now, I go back home to the freezing cold and snowy christmas and new years. I cannot wait! =)

Here is a pic of a woman demonstrating how to use the dry toilet