VT World History Through the African Diaspora

DSC06075 (Photo credit: tonedef)

            Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is the only campus in the state of Virginia recognized on the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA 2011 list.  To be recognized on that list a university has to be actively engaged in the establishment and maintenance of not only the trees on its own campus, but it must also provide assistance to the surrounding community’s trees.  The tree plantings that we participated in with Professor Hidalgo’s class as part of the Blacksburg Arbor Day activities contributed to the planting of over 100 new trees throughout the Blacksburg community and by doing this helps to keep Virginia Tech on the Tree Campus USA list.  Being an active member on the list can be treated as a potential inspiration to branch out beyond the campus, the immediate community, and maybe contribute to less fortunate communities throughout the world. 

We enjoyed the rewarding opportunity to give back to the community by planting trees that will grow and provide the public with cleaner air and scenic beauty.  It is important for everyone to give back and Arbor Day is a great way to do this.  We highly recommend for everyone to participate next year on Arbor Day!

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Meeting Humphrey Fellow Dr. Arold Simpreux was an enlightening experience.  In his native country of Haiti Dr. Simpreux has worked as a family practitioner for the past seven years after obtaining his education in Cuba.  He explained that he is one of five doctors who work at a small hospital that can accommodate up to one hundred patients.  Dr. Simpreux informed us that there is a high demand for medical care in Haiti due to ten million people residing in the country that spans 27,750 km² of the western part of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.  This works out to approximately one doctor for every 1,000 people.  For example, he and the other four doctors treat and consult more than eight hundred patients daily.  In response, this requires each of them to work for 24 hours straight one day each week.  He also stated that he is responsible for a very diverse range of medical specialties compared to doctors here in the United States, such as gynecology.  However, his main area of focus is treating patients infected with HIV.  He explained to us that when he started working, about nine percent of Haiti’s population was infected with HIV.  That number has now dropped to six percent of the population with the hope that it will decrease to three percent in the next five years.  Dr. Simpreux went on to add that health care is not a main concern of the Haitian government at this time. 

Out of the works of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Haiti, 19-20 January 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Following the severe series of earthquakes in Haiti in 2010, Dr. Simpreux recalled treating approximately three thousand patients a day and found it extremely difficult to tend to the multitude of people suffering from psychological sicknesses, such as shock, from the loss of loved ones and their own homes.  When we asked Dr. Simpreux where he was when the earthquakes occurred he told us that felt them slightly in the area where he lives in the north of Haiti.

Jean Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Next, Dr. Simpreux provided us with a brief history of Haiti starting with independence on 1 January 1804.  As he spoke he mentioned a term that we were not familiar with, affranchis.  He explained to us that it is a former French term denoting a freedman, emancipated slave, or a person of mixed-race.  The term is still used to this day in reference to the latter.  He went on to tell us how after independence was achieved, the affranchis wanted to be the ruling class and wanted to own slaves.  Nevertheless, this issue was resolved in two years when the proclaimed emperor for life Jean-Jacques Dessalines was assassinated.  Also, after Haiti earned its independence many whites were exiled or killed.  Nonetheless, some were allowed to remain in Haiti due to the need of certain professions, like doctors.  Dr. Simpreux reported that modern Haiti is roughly 80 percent black, 15 percent affranchise, and three to five percent white.  Additionally, there are three social classes based on economics.

Former President for life Jean Claude Duvalier of Haiti and his wife Michele Bennett Español: Ex presidente de Haití Jean Claude Duvalier y su esposa Michele Bennett (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We also discussed the agricultural affairs of Haiti with Dr. Simpreux.  We discovered that prior to 1986 the largest exports were sugar and coffee, but there is no major agricultural commodity exported today due to the ousting of the dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, also known as Bébé Doc, in that year.  We were shocked to discover that at least 120 varieties of mangoes are grown in Haiti, including the Francine Mango which is commonly referred to simply as the Haitian.  In spite of this considerable number of mangoes, farmers in Haiti lose 30 to 40 percent of their post-harvest crop because of a lack of training and infrastructure.  Dr. Simpreux shared his belief that rather than handout food to people, those same people should be taught good agricultural practices so that they can provide for themselves and for their local community without becoming dependent on others.  He pointed out how many farmers do not have the funds to purchase their own seeds or plants for new crops.

Lastly, we talked about the process of becoming a Humphrey Fellow.  Dr. Simpreux learned of the fellowship through the American Embassy and decided to apply for it.  He described the different steps in which he went through to get accepted.  The number of applicants steadily decreased from 80 to 30, then to seven, next to six, and finally three fellows were selected from Haiti.  Of those three, two are here improving their English at the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute (VTLCI):  Dr. Simpreux and Henri Claude Desormes.  At the completion of the program here, Dr. Simpreux will go to Johns Hopkins University to study HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention.

We enjoyed the chance to meet with and discuss the history and issues facing Haiti in the twenty-first century with Dr. Simpreux.  He was extremely friendly and informative and spoke English very well.  Opportunities like this are tremendously beneficial and important in education for allowing students to learn directly from someone from another culture and for establishing contacts between people of different countries.  This meeting helped to tie together everything that we have learned about the African Diaspora this semester.  We also believe this sort of activity should be continued in future classes. 

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This was an excellent review of the Hotel Rwanda screening—a model for others to follow. You seemed to have noticed the effect of colonialism in the post-colonial times, which has been a common feature in the so-called “Third World Countries,” but that is invisible to us here. More than anything, I am rejoiced that it brought you awareness of an issue directly related to the class.

Professor Hidalgo

Parliament building in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By the Sirens

Prior to watching the American drama film Hotel Rwanda, guest speaker and Humphrey Fellow, Jean Pierre Aristote Nziragutinya provided our class with some historical background in regards to the differences between the Hutu and Tutsi people of Rwanda. Jean informed us that Rwanda was ruled by a king and became a German colony, but Belgian forces were given control of Rwanda during World War I by the League of Nations. Essentially, Jean revealed that the Belgian occupational forces constructed the differences in personal identification as a means of “better classifying” the native peoples. Tutsis were deemed to be those who were tall, elegant, intelligent, and owned more than ten cows. On the other hand, Hutus were considered those who were short and unintelligent. The result turned into a social and status divide that fueled resentment between the two groups.

School Children (Rwanda) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The 1990 Rwandan Civil War was fought between President Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, and his supporters against the Rwandan Patriotic Front. The war itself lasted several years and its end was marked with the signing of the Ashura Accords. However, in 1994 the divide between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples of Rwanda was still extremely volatile. The assassination of President Habyarimana proved to be the launching point for Hutu extremists to systematically kill Tutsi and Hutu “collaborators” or “sympathizers.” The genocide that ensued resulted in the deaths of almost one million people in the region of Rwanda. The film Hotel Rwanda portrays the refugee situation that Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu and manager of the Sabena owned Hotel Mille Collines, endured during the onslaught of the Rwandan genocide. Paul housed his family and friends, who were Tutsis, in the hotel which had the protection of a very small U.N. peacekeeping force. Nevertheless, this U.N. peacekeeping force was not allowed to actually fire their weapons directly at the Hutu militia, thus offering little protection to the Tutsis. Paul courageously protected the inhabitants of the hotel from slaughter at the hands of the Hutu extremists. In the end of the film it is revealed that Paul saved 1,268 Rwandan refugees.

Refugee camp for Rwandans located in what is now eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo following the Rwandan Genocide. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Overall, the film is a very accurate account of the events that took place during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. As expected from the actual occurrences that transpired, some parts of the film were harder than others to watch because of the brutality of the Hutus against the Tutsis. Besides targeting Tutsis in general, the Hutu militia wanted to kill Tutsi children in order to eliminate the next generation. It was extremely hard to sit still and watch the U.N. peacekeeping force and the intervention force do nothing to help the innocent Tutsis who were sitting ducks in the hotel. Besides the U.N. peacekeeping force not being allowed to fire their weapons, the intervention force only came to transport the Western tourists back home safely. Sadly, the president of Sabena probably summed up the truth the best when he told Paul “Rwanda means nothing to them” when referring to the why western societies were not doing anything to help.

The characters Rusesabagina and Colonel Oliver negotiating through a political impasse. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The reality of the contemporary world is that sometimes it takes large motion pictures such as Hotel Rwanda to project attention to things that are going on within corrupt areas such as parts of Africa. However, with the gained attention from movies and progressive movements from international organizations, the hopeful idea that events such as Hotel Rwanda won’t happen anymore are truly in the sight of really being a realistic thought. Having Jean speak before and after showed that even though we as peers of history are merely seeing it through a movie, he lived it. That reality drives the emotions attached to this film and story to an entirely new level.

Rwandan Genocide survivor, Immaculeé Ilibagiza presented by African American Family magazine. May 23, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was tremendously beneficial to hear and learn about the events that the film was based on by someone who had firsthand knowledge of it. Jean did an excellent job of presenting us with the background information on Rwanda before the film started and of answering our questions about life in Rwanda today. We believe that he will succeed in his career as a lawyer working to preserve human rights in Rwanda. Lastly, we would like to thank Jean for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come watch the film with us and to educate us about the history of his homeland. We wish him the all best in his future endeavors.

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Yesterday our group finally got our chance to meet with our Humphrey Fellow at the ABP in Squires. Our group chose to meet with Dr. Arold Simpeux from Haiti, which of course is considered a part of the African Diaspora due to the Atlantic slave trade. Arold thankfully had a delightful personality and answered all of our questions very thoroughly, which is impressive considering how long he has been speaking English. Arold is married and has a young son. His wife is currently studying medicine in the Dominican Republic, and his son stays with Arold’s mother for a fair amount of time. Arold studied medicine in Cuba and returned to Haiti. He has been practicing medicine in Haiti for roughly seven year. He found out about the Humphrey Fellowship through the American Embassy, and decided to apply. After going through an extensive application process, Arold was selected to be one of the Humphrey Fellows. After completing his English intensive program at Virginia Tech in August he will continue his academic career in medicine at Johns Hopkins University. When we asked Arold where his accommodations in Blacksburg were located we found out that interestingly the Humphrey Fellows do not stay on campus but reside in Foxridge apartments. On the same note, Arold informed us that his roommates all speak different languages to ensure that they are forced to speak English to one another.

Ελληνικά: To Εθνόσημο της Αϊτής English: Coat of arms of Haiti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

            When we asked Arold whether he had always planned to go into medicine, he responded with “no”. In fact, he told us that when he had friends in the hospital as a child he was scared to go visit them because he hated hospitals so much. When he was in school he first had his mind set on becoming an agronomist, but soon realized this was not going to happen. He is now one of six doctors that work in rural hospital in Haiti by his home. He said that the hospital is very small and that he has to be able to handle everything from gynecological care to emergency care. The six doctors rotate around the different parts of the hospital, so they have to be somewhat equipped to handle whatever comes their way.

            Towards the end of our discussion he talked to us about the history of Haiti and even asked us if we had any questions for him about his home country’s history.

            Arold also brought along his fellow Humphrey Fellow, Henri Claude Desormes, from Haiti, who it turns out that he knew before coming to the United States. Both said that they had traveled to the United States before, but only to the Florida area. We are glad that we finally got to speak to not only one, but two Humphrey Fellows from the same country in different fields of study, because it helped us get a glimpse of what life is like in areas of the African Diaspora.

                When I first sat down to think about what to do for a charity project this semester I truly had no idea where to start. I knew that I wanted to make a real impact in the world and at the same time find something that I could really get behind. With the African Conservancy, I believe that I found what I was looking for. From the very beginning of this project, the goal went beyond simply raising money. Having someone donate some money for an organization is great but there is more that can be done. The money helps, but if people are made aware of the issues that faraway places face there is a greater chance that more will be done in the future. That is why over the course of the semester I focused more on talking to people about the African Conservancy than begging them for money. The experience that I gained from this was certainly a unique one. Often I had to place myself in an uncomfortable position by talking to someone that you don’t really know about some charity that they have never heard of. Eventually, I was able to convince my roommates to place all of their spare change in a bucket which will be part of the donation. The semester was a constant struggle but it was definitely worth the trouble. Although I would have loved to make more money for the organization this semester I am not dejected. It took me a little to realize this but just because the semester is over there is no reason this mission has to end. The mission that I speak of here is not simply raising money for the African Conservancy but rather charity in general. As college students, we are put in a great position to help out others. It does not matter what you are interested in, there are plenty of organizations out there that would love some help. Some, like the African Conservancy, are focused on raising money and awareness while others prefer that you donate an hour or two of you time. I am happy with what I have done for the African Conservancy and hope that others were inspired to help in their own way. The experience was a great one that provided a true learning experience. Over the course of the semester I learned that no matter how busy you are there is something that you can do to help others out. It was not an easy lesson to learn but because of this it is also one that will not soon be forgotten.

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Conversing with people from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures is always an intriguing experience, especially when it is with someone like Madeleine Sialou, for she was an incredibly friendly, intelligent, and full of energy. She was very happy to tell us of her home country of Cote D’Ivoire, the culture, her work as a high school teacher, and her impressions of America, which were quite positive. When we told her of our experiences, interests, and studies she was honestly intrigued and was particularly excited to learn that I (Jacob) will be studying abroad in Berlin this summer for six weeks. I took several lessons just from her demeanor in how to do so. She had a certain ambition and zeal about traveling and learning that was contagious; passivity and timidity are not good traits to carry to a foreign country, for trying new things ensures new learning experiences. One challenge of traveling is the language barrier, and traveling to a country where one must become proficient in the native language, such as the United States, for no other languages are likely to be spoken. But Ms. Sialou’s English was good, and in comparison to the level of fluency Americans achieve when studying foreign languages, was exceptional.
      Madeleine Sialou was very honored, pleased, and fortunate to have been chosen by the Humphrey fellows, a highly competitive program. She told us of her joy when she heard she would be part of the Humphrey Fellows, because she did not think she would be accepted. The program gives educational opportunities to people around the world that are highly valued, but work intensive. Madeleine has very happy to be quite busy with the program, working hard to learn as much as she could. Her gratitude and ambition were inspirational, for they allowed us to see the opportunities we have been given in our lives, and how we should make the most of them. Overall, talking with Madeleine Sialou was a very interesting and inspirational experience, and it has given birth to a desire to reach out to other foreigners who are studying in America, not only to help them, but also to learn from them, be challenged by them, and hopefully make friends in the process.

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For our group’s interview with a Humphrey Fellows member, we met with Ms. Madeleine Sialou from Cote D’Ivoire. Our meeting with her was a very eye opening experience that helped us to better understand what it is like for an individual to come to America from an extremely different culture. Ms. Sialou expressed that she was pleasantly surprised by how friendly Americans were and that she felt very at home at Virginia Tech. By saying this, it inspired a sense of duty in us that we should take whatever efforts we can to ensure that people from other countries and cultures feel welcome here in America. It serves as a reminder to us that we are all products of immigration as our ancestors came to America from their respective countries. The Humphrey Fellowship seems like a terrific program that is giving educational opportunities to individuals that may not have such opportunities in their own homelands. Coming to America provides a terrific cultural experience just as going to other countries provides Americans with a terrific cultural experience.

At the beginning of the semester, Jacob and I had decided to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity for our charity project. Unfortunately for us, these plans fell through around the time we were suppose to help build one of the Habitat homes. With our charity plans in shambles we had to recollect our thoughts and pick another organization to volunteer with or raise money for. We had a hard time coming to a consensus about which organization to pick, but we did decide to raise money as our means of charity. In conjunction with an on-campus honor and service organization that I am a part of, Gamma Beta Phi, we volunteered in a bake sale to raise money. The money that my group raised over the entire semester, including the bake sale that Jacob and I volunteered for, was to be donated to different charities that the members picked. With money to donate, Jacob and I finally settled on Oxfam America as our organization after hearing the Virginia Tech chapter’s President speak to our class. We were able to donate around $250 to Oxfam America. We really connected with Oxfam because of our discussions in class. We especially liked the idea that instead of sending large groups for service trips they send money to the local Oxfam groups in different parts of the world. This grassroots action promotes togetherness and community building and trusting in the local people to develop the best solutions for local problems. By not sending over people to fix problems, the local citizens are able to hire their own companies/groups, build and learn new skills, and boost their own economies. By raising and donating the money to Oxfam, there is no telling what we could help create or where we help create it. Our money could go to building a brand new well in Africa, or rebuilding a house in India. The possibilities are endless and we really liked that aspect of the organization. I have especially gotten involved in the efforts of Oxfam, and will continue by joining Oxfam America at Virginia Tech in the fall. Overall, we both really enjoyed the experience of raising money through the bake sale, and then find a charity that we were both passionate about.

It is not every day that you get the opportunity in a college class to truly make a difference out in the world. Some might think that simply planting trees does not make that big of a difference in the world but I disagree. In the past couple of years in the area around my home in Northern Virginia I have seen an incredible amount of trees cleared to make room for housing complexes and metro routes. The area that I grew up around no longer looks familiar to me because there are so many more clear patches of land. The trees that we planted at Nellie’s Cave Park made me feel like I helped to reverse this trend. These trees not only add to what is a beautiful park but will hopefully provide shade and happiness to the people of Virginia Tech and Blacksburg long after we are gone from here.  Even the tiny ones that might look like roots to someone else will grow and add to the environment. It is also not simply the fact that we planted trees that is important. In the bigger scheme of things, the real reason that I was excited to be at the park was because it provided an opportunity to give back to a community that I have taken so much pleasure from. In the years to come, I look forward to coming back to Nellie’s Cave Park and remembering that beautiful day in Blacksburg and all that we have learned this semester.

Bill:
On the evening of April 25, 2012 I did something I had never done before. I helped feed hungry people, not hungry people in another country, but right in my own back yard. My self and two classmates went to Roanoke’s Rescue Mission and for three hours served food to men, woman and children and while their stomachs were fed, my soul was fed. We fed over 300 people? 300! Here, here in my own back yard. I had no idea. I have supported Save the Children for over 30 years, I routinely give to worldwide charities many time requesting my money be spent in Asia or Latin America or Africa, but never had I requested that money to feed the hungry be spent here in my own country, my own back yard. The time we spent had an enormous impact on my presumption that all is well here, it’s not, it’s not ok that in one evening at one rescue mission over 300 hungry people had to be fed because they were hungry. This has refocused my priority. Not just on where to put what little money I have to give, but wanting to know why this is happening. Not in Africa, not in Asia but here, here in my own back yard.
Brandon:
Our experience at the Roanoke Rescue Mission was very successful. It was such a blessing to give back to the less fortunate people in my hometown of Roanoke. Our group was not only able to provide people with a healthy meal, but we also were able to place a smile on many faces after a day of struggles. I would recommend serving at the Rescue Mission to anyone who enjoys giving back to the community in a positive manner. This experience will stick with me for many years to come, as I move into the corporate world.
Michael:
My experience at the Roanoke Rescue Mission was truly memorable. Over the course of three hours, my group and I were able to feed over 300 people. It was very astonishing to realize the number of people in my own hometown that are unable to provide food for themselves and their families. Despite having very little, many of those we served were incredibly grateful for our service. I’m so thankfully for the opportunity to give something back to the community that I grew up in and I hope that I was able to make a difference however small that difference may have been. It certainly helped to change the way I view impoverished communities and I plan on taking this experience and using it to make me a better person.

The film Hotel Rwanda is about the Rwandan genocide of the early 1990s. It chronicles the story of a hotel owner, played by Don Cheadle, as he attempts to protect his family for the violence that surrounds them. The film provides a deeply personal view of how the violence of genocide can affect individuals and their families. The film is eye-opening, disturbing, and informative.
The film is eye-opening because it brought attention to an issue that had largely been ignored by the world. Prior to the movie’s release, much of the world did not know about the events surrounding the genocide in Rwanda. Although the film’s release followed the end of the majority of violence in this area, it taught valuable lessons about the necessity of protecting innocent groups of people against genocide. The film demonstrates that we have still not learned the lessons of such massacres as the Holocaust. Despite the cries of “never again” that followed the murder of 6 million Jews, these events seem to be played out again and again in areas such as Rwanda.
The film is disturbing because of its grit and truth. It examines genocide in a way that goes beyond what any documentary or lecture could as it provides insight into the mental anguish involved with attempting to shield loved ones from the violence involved in such tragedies. Additionally, it demonstrates how, in such situations, even individuals considered trustworthy can deteriorate into murders under the right circumstances.
All-in-all, Hotel Rwanda is a fantastic film that combines terrific acting, a wonderful score, and an incredible story. Such films as these go beyond entertainment to provide audiences with a clear message thus creating a higher level of art. Unfortunately, the problems Rwanda faced seem to be continually played out in regions such as Darfur and Syria. 

Giving back to the community is something that is valued very highly at Virginia Tech. The university launches many programs designed to help Blacksburg grow and become more beautiful. To help in this effort to give back to the community, our class planted trees at a local park. The experience helped me realize the importance of giving back to the Virginia Tech community. Planting trees is a very rewarding experience because it allows you to put something in the community that will potentially remain for decades. Each member of our group planted two trees that we hope will continue to grow and flourish at Nellie’s Cave Park.