I have seen a lot of people post this video on various forms of social media. I finally got a chance to watch it (as I’m in the capital using internet that doesn’t cost me money…whattuuuuup!).
I don’t consider myself much of an activist, in fact I often find myself doing more listening to than voicing of opinions. I feel that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and if anything, my strongest belief in life is that of freedom of speech. I am a huge fan of allowing all people to express their opinions regardless of how much I agree or disagree. It’s the exchange of all ideas, in my mind, that allows us to advance, learn, grow and develop as individuals and as a society.
A lot of things have been taken away from me as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Access to communication, electricity, clean water sources, hygiene, a balanced diet, NOT having tarantulas in my bed, cultural sensitivity, commonality, doing dishes in a sink and privacy are just a few of the things that I have either been stripped of or have been greatly reduced in my daily life here in the Dominican Republic. Obviously, some are lower on the pyramid of basic human needs, and I also like to remember on a daily basis that there are many communities (both within the DR and in other nations) that have even less access that I do.
What has been the hardest thing that I’ve been stripped of as a PCV? Access to, honestly and without reservation, voicing my opinions without fear of the severe repercussions that might result in my daily life and my work.
The Dominican Republic is an extremely welcoming, generous and beautiful culture, full of rich history and genuine people. I feel lucky, nearly, everyday to be living here in this beautiful Caribbean society. Daily, however, I am reminded of one of the most basic resources that I’ve been stripped of as a PCV living here, and it’s not a resource that’s tangible, it’s not something I can pick up when I travel to Santiago or the Capital, and it’s not something that I can ask for from a care-package from home. I’ve been stripped of the ability to voice my opinions and be unabashedly honest about social justice and about my personal life. I have been thrust into a life where I’m forced to lie about things that I am very proud of in order to help people avoid suffering. There are some pretty strong feelings in the DR about things like Religion, Sexuality, Race and Nationality. Feelings that often lead to social and physical violence if addressed in the wrong way.
It’s then that I realize how multi-layered development is.
Development is access to basic human needs.
Development is access to the things we desire.
Development is access to the exchange of opinion.
Development is so many things.
So, if you’re asking yourself (or if you’re asking me) what’s the hardest thing about the Peace Corps so far? It’s not finding a rat in my bed, it’s not stepping into a latrine at night, it’s not having to walk 40 minutes each way to buy a carrot, it’s not throwing away privacy, it’s not 105 degree days, and it’s not living in a community where cholera is the current leading cause of death. The hardest thing about the Peace Corps so far is leaving a community, a society, a culture, a nation where everyone and anyone is allowed to create a video like the one above.
Truth.