“The time has come, the walrus said…”
Well, this is it. In less than two hours I’ll be heading back to the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to start my trek back to Boston, back to real life and my regular routine. While I’m happy to be heading back into my own space and known world, I know that I will deeply miss my experiences here.
I haven’t posted in a few days despite having things to say. While some of what I’ve seen has been new, relevant and interesting, part of it seems like I’d be rehashing my words. So why not have one grand summary post, shall we?
I left Boston ten days ago with a mixture of fear, excitement and adventure. I was worried about my personal safety (I mean, you hear what they say on the news…), excited about what I’d see and hear, and knowing that each day would hold a completely new experience. While my fears turned out to be unfounded, my other emotions were filled in spades. I am returning to Boston now wiser, wearier and worldlier and a completely new person.
This trip has provided so much information (almost to the saturation point) about the conflict and occupation. I now better understand the political situation, as well as some of the viewpoints of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I now understand that this is not really a war based on religion but on politics, land and economic opportunity. I always knew that both the Israeli and Palestinian people have a right to share the land and a right to happiness and equality. I now know that the largest perpetrators of the violations of human rights and international law is the Israeli military and government. Not the people. I have a better understanding of the sufferance of the Palestinian people and the daily hardships they have come to know.
This trip has armed me with stories. In America, we hear statistics and stories portraying Palestinians as the terrorists. We hear only about the good works that Israel is doing (which they are, but it’s not the whole story). Now I have seen the human face of the conflict; know stories of settlers, refugees, displaced persons and villagers. I have heard from Palestinians rich and poor, Israelis to the left and to the right and know where they stand and know the variances of their positions.
Most of all, I am reinvigorated. My purpose has been reborn. I’ve always known that I have wanted to create change, but this trip has revealed to me that my purpose in life is to give a voice to the voiceless; to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I want to be able to change the way of life for the Palestinian and Israeli people to one of peace and community. I want to be able to help the Palestinians and Israelis tear down the apartheid wall. I want to enable those who cannot help themselves.
This leads me down only a slightly different path than I was planning on before. I’ve known that I want to seek higher degrees in International Affairs and Public Policy, and I believe those will still be helpful in my quest. However, what my meetings over the past few days have shown me is that working with the laws and policy can really help bring the greatest results.
So what does that mean? Law school.
I’ve been pondering this idea for the past two years or so; running the gamut from determined to downright iffy. Yet meeting today at the Eshan Center for Human Rights in Bethlehem had me make up my mind. The law can directly help people, giving their voices a structure and a background. The International Affairs will give a breadth of a background in the Middle East and the developing countries that my heart aches for and the Public Policy will inform on the how and the what of change.
I know a great deal of work is ahead. Work in school and work to build my method and plan to inform the world of injustice. But I’m ready to take this on. I’m ready to start making a tangible difference in this world and I’m ready to improve the lives of others. I’m ready to sacrifice time and ready to improve myself through education and through doing.
I’m ready.
Gaining A Voice
A top piece of advice I’ve received lately is to be my own advocate.
Makes sense right? Who will speak for you when you don’t speak for yourself?
However, the trick is how to find your own voice and the correct (and appropriate) vehicle to convey your wants, needs and goals to the greater world.
At work, how do you tell your boss that you feel like your talents aren’t being fully optimized? How do you ask to be placed on projects outside of your direct job description? How do you use your advocacy prowess to develop your career?
In job searches, how do you express these needs and wants within the confines of the interview? How do you make your potential boss aware of your true ambitions and skills, even outside of the job you are interviewing for?
Advocating for yourself is obviously a fine art; one that must be learned and honed through time, practice and counsel. Without seeming too pushy or aggressive, you need to make your intentions well known. I believe this is where emotional intelligence comes into play: being able to read and understand the nonverbal cues of people around you. Strategically introducing yourself to the world and placing your goals at the forefront requires planning.
A way to plan is to write down your goals. Life goals, career goals; any goals you wish to share. This way you are best prepared to advocate your dreams.
Another way is to create your own image and brand. Wording and formatting your resume to best reflect this image is key, as well as the development of personal messaging. Think of how corporate branding works and mimic it for yourself.
Becoming your own brand and your own advocate will give you confidence, assurance and drive and, if done correctly, will get you to where you need and want to be in life.
So what am I doing?
I’m taking the idea of “making your own brand” quite literally. Designing a logo to be used on revamped business cards and stationery, I will be known as “kerplunker communications.” This will easily fit in with this blog, another kerplunker website I plan to create to showcase my communications work and interests, and my Twitter account. (Once these are finalized, I’ll post them.)
In this hyper-competitive economy and city, this is what will set me apart. Networking with these custom-made cards, a strong handshake, sincere smile and polished message will get me the responsibilities and experience I desire.
Falling Feet First 