Derek learning different lessons from what was expected

A couple weekends ago we went on a Human Rights Training Weekend created by the NGO Africa Unite. I did not blog about this as I had other things on my mind and I knew that a ton of my co-educators would write about the weekend – so I wanted to keep the feed fresh. If you have not taken the time to read any of my peers’ beautifully written entries, then I must preface with some background information. The Human Rights Weekend bused us out to a beautiful olive farm located a couple hours away from Cape Town. Joining our Husky pack, was a group of older activists who flew in from various African countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, etc.  Throughout the three-day span we interacted with our new friends to complete various group activities pertaining to human rights violations and refugee discrimination. In addition, we were separated into 7 different groups and tasked to choose an African country which we would then research and create a skit about. And it must be mentioned that we were served some pretty amazing meals and snacks in between activities.

            

Derek (far left), Zoe, Mteto, and Kayla listening and contemplating

Although, our previous discussion in class noted what the weekend intended, I still stand by my original impression. As a STEM major I came in with little knowledge on human rights and was really looking forward to learning about its history, its subdivisions, and each subdivision’s listed rights. Moreover, I wanted to see the discrepancy in defined rights between my newly acquainted peers’ and my countries. Lastly, I was hoping to research how certain rights have been, and recently are, violated in African countries as well as the United States and if certain movements are in place to counter the violations. Although I was able to learn a lot from everyone else’s prior knowledge, I felt as though I had little to input in each activity. In addition, I still felt a lack in basic HR knowledge at the end of the weekend as the weekend focused on more experiential learning that built upon prior basic knowledge. Fortunately, I was able to meet some really interesting and compassionate people during the trip; and still keep in touch through social media. We danced, sang, and had a great time throughout the weekend. Moreover, they were open enough to share with me enlightening, unbelievable, or gruesome facts and stories about their home countries. It should be noted that I found the Sunday activities to be the most empowering of the weekend. Hearing everyone’s encounters as a victim, bystander, perpetrator, or defender of human rights created the feeling of call-to-action that Vincent mentioned at the start of the weekend. Furthermore, it was great to hear, and take ideas, from others on how to continue and start activist and ally habits while stopping those that oppress others and ourselves.