Thursday, December 6, 2007

Reflection

It seems like it is easy to ignore the fact that these people fighting in Uganda are still children because they are performing such adult tasks. No one should be introduced to the idea or experience of killing another person. It is hard to think of a child as a victimizer, but as a fighter of war, as someone who is performing killings and murders, that it just what they are doing, and it should be stopped. I wish I had the opportunity to meet and speak with anyone who had first hand experience with the war in Uganda and the use of child soldiers. I am very appreciative of all the comments I have received, especially from my commenter from Uganda. This experience was the closest I have had to an actual cultural encounter and this encounter, while only communicating online, was what helped me most in writing my blog. I had my first flash of recognition after receiving the comment from Tumwijuke in Uganda. I realized the power that words have, especially when you are writing or talking about something that you are unfamiliar with. I now understand how important it is to dismiss my own beliefs and thoughts before engaging in something I am unfamiliar with and become open to learning about something new. People are not all so different when it comes to war and trauma. Writing this blog has been one of the most eye opening experiences because it allowed me to learn about another culture through my own mistakes, which I believe are inevitable, and expanded by encounters with others outside of my life circle.

2 comments:

Kelly said...
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Kelly said...

Laura,

It seems that you really have learned a lot about Uganda and it's culture, and enjoyed yourself while doing so. I've really enjoyed reading your progress throughout your blog. I can see that this project has made a lasting impression on you and the way in which you approach the study of Anthropology. It was so interesting to read about your flash of recognition. I think it's really important to note these moments to further your understanding and comprehension of what exactly you are doing, which it seems you have. Throughout Cultural Anthropology, we have discussed the importance of suspending prior beliefs and opinions in order to properly study another culture. But I think this lesson was enforced even more for you when you received a comment from a reader actually LIVING in Uganda. It's wonderful that you have learned so much from your blog - not only from your research or your own writing, but also from the writing of others.

I also think it is so interesting that you have started to question your own writing in the format of the title of your blog. I really think this shows that you are thinking, analyzing, and evaluating your research!