Erica becoming actively conscious of her many privileges

I really enjoyed the human rights weekend with Africa Unite. I was a little unsure what to expect, as I’ve never taken a human rights course before. I thought I was going to be behind, or that I wouldn’t be able to contribute as much to the conversation, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that everyone was in the same boat. Though there were many human rights majors there, the experience would be new for everyone.

           

 When we first got there, I was immediately in awe of my surroundings. Goedgedacht farm was situated on one of the many rolling hills that seemed to go on forever. It was nice to be in the countryside, to hear the roosters crow in the morning, and to gaze at the stars at night. The villas were gorgeous, as when the sun set, you could see Table Mountain in the horizon. The meals were delicious, but also a nice time to connect with the people on the program. I really enjoyed conversing with the people from South Africa, Zambia, and the DRC and being able to hear different perspectives on the issues we discussed. Most importantly, I was most fulfilled by how much I learned during the 48 hours we were there.

Liz & Erica enjoying tea time and conversation with new friends

Part of the reason I enjoyed the workshop so much is because of how it was run. I appreciated how Vincent explained theories and concepts but then allowed us to really understand what they meant by having us apply our knowledge in practical scenarios. I also liked how we were able to interact as a group and share thoughts, ideas, and opinions. This allowed us to think and work as a team, as we are so unaccustomed to doing.  It was clear that regardless of differences, we were all able to come together to support one another.

Erica receiving certificate at conclusion of weekend.

Though the environment was nurturing and facilitating, the first exercise showed how difficult it would be to come to a solution for the new world. What I found most interesting was how quickly people assumed their roles and privileges. Even though it was just an activity, the discussions quickly became heated. Those who had resources were wary to share while those who had little or nothing made the most effort to come to a compromise. It was interesting to think that although we were all there for the same reason, to better ourselves, we still fell into a trap of privilege. This happens far too often, with myself included, but as I’ve come to learn, human rights are about advocating for others. There are so many privileges and opportunities that I have access to just because of the color of my skin or the socioeconomic class I was born into. These privileges, which determine access, resources, opportunities, have not been earned. This struck me the most when we were asked to complete an asylum seeking application. Though I felt incredibly frustrated, I know that that feeling would only be temporary, whereas those who are actually seeking refuge struggle for much longer. This exercise helped me realize how I take such basic things, such as safety, for granted. This all comes back to the underlying theme of the weekend- human rights. In order to make a change, we must all be actively conscious of our own privileges while simultaneously advocating for others who do not share the same opportunities