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the best part about flying is who I meet in the process. I think I might like to write a book and dedicate a chapter to each of these interesting people. maybe Ill start writing it the next time Im stuck in the Philly airport- since that is pretty much inevitable.

today I was driving down state st. and was stopped for several minutes waiting for the geese to cross the road. precious.

as I write my international law paper...

These past few nights have been characterized by late night paper writing sessions with a couple of classmates.

Every once in a while we look up from our research, push the glasses back up on our noses, and share something exciting we have just learned.

Ranging from humanitarian policies of China and the sovereignty of Tibet to the effectiveness of war tribunals in Cambodia and the UN's response to the genocide in Darfur.

In the light of my international law paper writing, I would like to pose this quote (thanks to my roomie and late night study pal) for you to consider...

"The law is ... a weapon of the stronger ... Law reflects not any fixed ethical standard, but the policy and interests of the dominant group in a given state at a given period. As such, 'Politics and law are indissolubly interwined.'"

E. H. Carr

the culture in my livingroom

I'm loving the people here in Philly. I have never in my life been surrounded with so many different accents and worldviews. How could you not thrive in an environment like that?

For example, this evening I was sitting in my living room listening to a conversation between my Bulgarian roommate and her Ethiopian friend from Kenya discuss the birthday traditions of their respective countries. They had quite a lot in common...

in Kenya- the tradition is to catch the birthday kid by surprise by dumping a bucket of water on them.

in Bulgaria- they are much more polite about the matter, they limit the amount of water to a small cup and make sure the water is at least room temperature. How sweet.

To see two people who come from polar opposite backgrounds- who look, dress and sound completely different from each other; to watch them tonight in their differences find something in common spoke to me so highly of humanity.

learning to share space: thoughts on N. Ireland

Here are a few questions I am pondering as I debrief from my trip to Ireland.

Is violence the key to having your voice heard? Is there another way for oppressed people to speak up?

In Ireland's case it seems likely that the Catholics would never have gained a voice had they not used violence. Is there some mechanism we could set up internationally that allows groups to be heard without first proving their worth through violence?

How do we transform symbols that perpetuate violence into symbols that perpetuate peace?

The symbols of "the troubles" run rampant in N. Ireland. Peace walls that segregate communities, murals that make political statements about each group's identity, memorials to freedom fighters/terrorists (depending on who you talk to), bonfires that desecrate the symbols of the other faction, curbs that are painted with the colors of your cause; all these make it easy to know whose neighborhood you are in.

Mediators are struggling with questions of whether or not to begin the process of integration. Each group seems to feel that the end of segregation would mean the end of their own group identity. The interface set-up brings quick security to a neighborhood. In fact, one could argue that the segregation emboldens a community to boast their identity with more fervor.

quick facts:
the UK spends 1.5 billion pounds a year to maintain segregation in northern ireland. because of course, if you dont trust the people on the other side of the peace wall why would you go use their swimming pool? Their must be maintained two of everything, one on each side of the wall.

Since 1994, there have been 9 new peace barriers built- one of which was built within an integrated public school (which there are very few of).

The peace walls belong to the communities, as do the bonfires, murals and memorials.
Unfortunately, it seems to be no deterrent that many of these symbols are illegal. No one is willing to challenge the community's right to these symbols.

Will people let go of symbols that perpetuate violence if they are presented with an alternative that offers more long-term security of identity?

How much do you need your truth?
Is there a balance to be found that forgets some of the facts about the past in order to make amends for the future? Forgetting the past grievances in N. Ireland leaves baggage, but pursuing the details of past grievances could destabilize the relative peace that exists now.

If we cannot solve the conflict in Northern Ireland, a developed and wealthy nation with a history of relative friendly international and intranational relations, how can we expect to solve conflicts in impoverished and historically unfriendly nations?

To sum, my trip to Ireland left me with more questions than answers and more confusion than resolve. The situation is not simple, but it is clear that the lives and identities of people are at stake. So keep thinking.

to see more of my pictures:
ireland
and
sectarian things