DC

At the MLK Memorial

 

First day in DC: In the movie we watched last week, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, there was a quote that had a major impact on me. I realized soon after that its message emerges in almost every conversation we have. One of the leading characters said, “we need to start thinking of life as a privilege, not a right.” If we had a right to be alive, then there would be no reason to consider others because it could never be taken away from us. This type of thinking negates the need to be an upstanding citizen who feels morally obliged to contribute to the general welfare of humanity. I read an interesting scenario through which this quote can be better understood. Earning your driver’s license is considered a privilege, not a right. The article explained that “no one is obliged to give you your license; you must earn it to obtain it.” This being said, you must continue to exhibit good behavior on the road in order to retain your ability to drive. If an irresponsible driver threatens the lives of others, than the privilege to drive is revoked. Shouldn’t we approach life the same way we approach the road? Thinking of life as a privilege encourages all men and women from across the globe to respect others and treat them with kindness and generosity. (I do not believe that one’s life should be revoked if they commit a murder, but if you have no empathy and are completely egocentric, are you even human?) 

Our museum tours, lectures, and daily encounters have implied that from the beginning of time to this day, the “life is a privilege” mentality has never been fully adopted. During the 1870’s, owners of tenements shoved families ranging from five to twelve people into one-bedroom apartments, which created an environment conducive for contracting deadly diseases. When children were sick, store holders sold a medicine that “cured all.” What exactly were the ingredients of this magical concoction? Opium and Alcohol. These people were lied to, taken advantage of, and treated like objects, not humans. Slavery: an indelible stain on our nation. African Americans were stripped of their livelihood and reduced to tortured animals. Hitler believed humanity would only achieve greatness if it were dominated by a pure Aryan race and so he felt obliged to cleanse the world of all toxic ethnicities or “inferiors.” The existence of Jews interfered with the potential of his superior raise and thus had to be destroyed. 

On September 11, 2001, Islamic extremists took the lives of thousands of innocent Americans to protest the presence of American troops on their soil and the dominance of Western powers as a whole. They abused Islam and manipulated the laws of their religion to justify their unjustifiable actions. Daisy Khan explained that these men not only hijacked planes, they hijacked her religion. Consequently, today, Muslims are the group of individuals who are being challenged, discriminated against, and treated inhumanely. When will it stop? Our similarities as human beings trump the insignificant differences found amongst our religions, cultures, and ethnicities. What will it take for people across the world to not only understand, but embrace this? 

Today I saw that Martin Luther King Jr., one of our leading figures in the fight for civil rights in the United States and throughout the world, said “every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.” So, contrary to Hitler’s teachings, only when we learn to understand, accept, and work with one another will our society achieve greatness.

--Angela Farren, Lehigh University

I was again so proud of the eight women on this journey. Today, at American University, they were asked what they had learned from the program. For each student, the question had multiple, earnest, heartfelt answers. 

Some talked about what they had learned of their own country and people. Some discussed the impact on their religious beliefs. Some talked about the deep intellectual benefits and the knowledge they had gained of other cultures and regions. Some described the intensity of the experience. Some cherished relationships that had developed. Some talked about how much they had learned about themselves.

I was awed by their eloquence and wished I had tape recorded it all. And I was struck by the revelation: There was no wrong answer. Each of these very bright women, over a long, intense month, has gained her own knowledge and found her own way.

--Jack Lule, Lehigh University

NYC and DC

Meeting with Maria and John Chrin

  These past few days have been jam packed with activities! Seeing New York City through the eyes of those who have never seen it before was an experience I really cherished; the girls were so happy, excited and overwhelmed and it brought me great joy to see them this way. Meeting with Maria and John Chrin was an awesome experience because we got to meet one of the people that make programs like ours possible. I am so grateful to her for providing opportunities like this to Lehigh students and she is an amazing and inspiring person. 

 The most challenging and controversial visit in NYC was when we met with Daisy Khan. My family and community were deeply affected by the events of 9/11 and it is still a sore subject for me to talk about. I remember sitting in my third grade class when we got the news and being so worried when my mom called to come and get me--I thought my dad was dead because his precinct was very close to the World Trade Center. Thankfully he did not go into work that day, but he did take part in much of the cleanup and even took part in the cataloging of many people's remains whom we knew personally or through friends. It was a very scary and sad time for America and especially New York. Going to the memorial was very hard for me because it was the first time I had been able and brave enough to go all the way in. I had not been that close since before the buildings fell. I was glad we went though because it was a very peaceful and cathartic experience for me after our speech with the brilliant, Daisy Khan. 

Listening to Daisy Khan

Dinner in Little Italy

When I had first heard about what Daisy Khan and her husband were planning, I was really hurt. How could someone be so insensitive? Why would they put their center so close to where the attacks took place? After listening carefully to everything Daisy had to say, I was surprised to feel my opinion shift. I didn't understand what she was planning to do and the talks that she wanted to initiate, and after hearing that it was a inter-religious dialogue center, I felt like an idiot. I had taken what the news stations were saying as truth when in fact, they were completely exaggerated. While I still think the location of the mosque/community center is not the best idea, I agree that 9/11 needs to be talked about. Daisy was right; we never healed. I also really liked that she explained that that attack was not only on the WTC but on the Muslim religion itself. I hope that in the near future, more Americans will understand that the Muslim fundamentalists that carry out terrorist acts are not the majority of their population. I hope that they understand that terrorism is a threat to all Americans-not just the white ones. It really, really, really, bothers me when these potentially intelligent Americans let their prejudices and ignorance overcome their capacity to love and cherish one another for the people we are and the beliefs we have.
 

Once we had finally arrived in DC, it was great to see all of the landmarks and to see it once again with fresh eyes. Our Indonesian partners have fantastic questions, often about things I would normally take for granted or not even think of. I am really proud of the friendships we are forming and the dialogues we are having. I think this program has definitely come a long way. After reflecting on it today at American University, I can honestly say that this experience has changed the way I look at America. I have always been critical of America, but being in a different country and in a place so different from home only makes me appreciate the good things more. We are so lucky to have the freedoms that we do and to be able to express ourselves and our religion and that is one thing I no longer take for granted. I am so happy I decided to participate in this program and that I was presented such a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity. Until tomorrow! Ciao!!

--Shannon Cassidy, Lehigh University

Meeting two inspiring women in NYC

--Cindhi Cintokowati, Gadjah Mada University 

Meeting with Daisy Khan

Terrorism is the common enemy of American, American-Moslem, and Moslem

--Anggita Paramesti, Gadjah Mada University

Days 27, 28 and 29

Meeting with Rabbi Goren

 The past two days have been full of fun and lots of religious and political conversation. On Wednesday morning, we had a lecture from Professor Matthews on Individualism and Community in American Political Thought, which I believe further clarified the interactions between the students from both countries in public transportation and a host of other things. As we discussed with the very excellent Dr. Lule tonight, it is not common in American culture to sit directly next to someone on a bus or a train or even in a classroom. Americans like their space and alone time, which contrasts to the aspect of Indonesian culture that emphasizes group activity and bonding. It is just two different traditions embedded into the cultures and I'm really glad that, among other things was clarified. I would hate to offend them over something that I didn't even realize and that was one of the things I wish we knew to explain to the Indonesians when we arrived rather than finding out the hard way. 

Another thing that was interesting was that the Indonesians loved the food at Rathbone because they could see it before taking it and they could better determine if they would enjoy it. The Lehigh students were less enthusiastic about it, but glad that the others enjoyed it so much. it was also great to have a discussion on Judaism yesterday because it was something that we, as a group, have not really studied in depth; it was not only educational to the exchange students, but eye opening to me as well because I would not have a reason to study it otherwise. 

 My FAVORITE day was today when we learned all about Buddhism! I found Professor Lloyd's lecture to be absolutely fascinating. There is so much to the religion that I really agree with and I wish that more people behaved like the ideal Buddhist. The Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center is something I definitely want to return to. I think that meditation and reflection are so important to a person's well being. Maybe during four o'clocks week I'll head over to meditate. Ta Ta for now! NYC HERE I COME!

--Shannon Cassidy, Lehigh University

Entering the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center

 The past two days have been filled with some really interesting discussions about religion and religious pluralism. This Thursday, we had a lecture on the basic concepts of Buddhism with Dr. Lloyd Steffen. Learning about Buddhism and the importance to uphold yourself to be the best person you can be right now was a really interesting idea that I had always wanted to apply in my life but this idea seems to be very different from what I had learned as a child. Growing up in a Catholic family, I was raised to value good deeds by either helping out at church events, doing some community service at orphanages, or simply helping out your neighbors. Although helping others brings forward positivity to others and yourself, the thought to always help others and to be a good person was always followed by fear about your afterlife—will I go to heaven or will I go to hell? Learning about Buddhism was really refreshing. Later that day, we visited the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center where we met Diana. Diana is a character! I very much enjoyed our visit at the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center because she was able to explain Buddhism in a very simple manner. I definitely plan on attending the Buddhist study and tea time sessions held every Sunday in the future.
 

After our visiting Diana, we had a visitor—Professor Jack Lule! I really appreciate our conversation with Professor Lule because not only did he learn about the daily activities that we took part in during the program thus far, we were also able to share the ups and downs of the program. I think that this conversation was a really important one to have because I believe that everyone was thinking about how intense this program is, mentally, physically, and spiritually, but it was not until Professor Lule said, “If this program was easy, we wouldn’t do it!” that it has occurred to everyone, or at least, me, that “Yes, this program is intense but that’s how it should be! I am learning!”. As intense as this program is, I am loving it! Although this program is focused religious pluralism and democracy, the activities and the entire structure of this program has challenged so many more aspects of my life. Not only are the lectures and the visits to various religious and political institutions important in learning the history and how people function in a society, but also living with our Indonesian and American friends and learning about them as individuals has also presented many opportunities to exchange ideas and to reflect on my own culture and identity. There are only five days of this program left and so many thoughts are firing in my head about everything! This program has truly changed me as a person, I just do not know exactly how yet.

--Theresa Mejia, Lehigh University