Final Project, Part II

So I didn't really expect that response. My intent was not to my people angry, rather to make people think. I firmly believe that a wall should not ever be a solution. I believe they are a weak solution for severe diplomatic failure. But beyond that, if one wants to sink to the level of wall building, at least attempt to do it fairly.

When I was a freshman in high school I participated in a program similar to this. A small group of us were chosen to correspond with high school students from Israel, culminating with an end of the year video conference. At that video conference one of the students asked an interesting question. This student, who was two years away from compulsory military service asked me what I thought about the possibility of building a wall. Then, as I would say now, I told her that building a wall only divides us further. We should be trying to pull together, not be divided so clearly. I used the example of the US during the time of segregation to illustrate this point. There was once a point in our own nations history when violence was big possibility and racism permiated. But instead of continuing a flawed strategy of "seperate but equal," the US chose to change their strategy. This change in strategy is an improvement which I believe this entire classroom has benefited from.

Do not reduce me based on this final project or things which I have written or said. These are parts of me, and do not add up to a whole. I can forgive someone for lashing out at a moment of intense emotional pain. Believe it or not I can. I've been there, I understand. But I will have a much harder time forgiving someone for not respecting me or attempting to reduce me.

This quarter has been amazing. Thanks guys!