September 11th

September 11, 2007

Two years from today I will have completed my service here! We had our last training meeting today and we will swear in tomorrow. Right before lunch staff had all of us gather around in a circle to remember what happened on September 11th. We had all of us trainees and many of the staff both Azeri and American. There were about 65 to 70 of us and we were given a chance to talk about what September 11th means to us.

I talked about how those events helped me make the decision to join Peace Corps. After the terrorist attacks most Americans reaction was to fight back harder and stronger to teach “them” (whoever “they” are) a lesson. I had a different reaction. I thought what would make someone hate Americans so much that they would kill that many innocent people. I thought if they only knew me, or all the people in those buildings, there is no way they would hate me that much, and instead of going out and killing more people and making whoever we were killing (and their families and children) innocent or guilty hate us that much more. But instead why don’t we go out into the world and let people get to know what real Americans are like and dispel any thoughts they may have about us from watching TV and reading newspapers. Then, learn from them what things America does either directly or indirectly which makes people hate us and come home and try to change those things.

As I said in my first post Peace Corps has 3 goals and two of them are completely related to this.

The 2nd goal is: To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

The 3rd goal is: To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of all Americans.

I really feel much more patriotic serving here in the Peace Corps than I ever have before. I am proud of my country and appreciate the things we take for granted every day, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, or a free election. Even countries that claim they are free people don’t always have these rights.

These are just a few rambling thoughts I had today on the anniversary of September 11th. You may or may not agree with these thoughts but that’s what I love more than anything the fact that I have the right to express my thoughts. And if you do agree do something about it because you CAN! Go out and protest if you think something is wrong or vote or write a letter to your congressman or senator (tell them you support Peace Corps and what we are trying to do) or join Peace Corps. Whatever you do just don’t sit around and let things happen act like a real American and stand up for what you believe in.