I imagine that I am among the guilty party in some ways as well. But, being in Rome has opened my mind more than enough to see that this privilege should not be taken for granted.
Ironically, through my recent enjoyment of this privilege, I have come to recognize its true importance.
The last two Monday evenings, a John Cabot professor has hosted a few distinguished speakers on a variety of topics.
I would not have known about these if it weren't for Michalene Morelli, who's invite fortunately got to me via Facebook 2 hours before the first event. I must admit, the real draw at that time was the free reception... (vino rosso? Sì)
That first evening we were fortunate enough to hear from the Czech ambassador to Italy. He was speaking in remembrance of the Czech playwright, philosopher, and dissident, Václav Havel, and the Velvet Revolution.
(Credit: http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/WORLD/europe/11/16/velvet.revolution.etzler/t1larg.czech.jpg)
Who? What? ...My questions exactly, but quickly answered with a screening of the most inspiring documentary I have ever seen: The Power of the Powerless. Go watch it now!
I knew that Czechoslovakia was under communist regime in the cold war, but I had no idea that it had lasted into 1989. I also had no idea about the collective efforts of students (younger than me), playwrights and poets which ultimately led to a march of a half million people and a revolution.
You learn so much and appreciate so much more in your life.
Under the communist regime, students' access to knowledge, opinions, and inspirations was harshly controlled by the propaganda machine. In my opinion, their efforts to combat this injustice were the most impressive in the revolution. They were the ones who organized the strikes and ultimately inspired the older generations to do something. They were the ones who were brutally attacked by the riot police during their peaceful protests.
(Credit: http://www.spaziotadini.it/images/Hajek02.jpg)
Václav Havel rode the revolutionary rift caused by these students. He later led the movement to success and was elected as the first president of the new Czech Republic. Most interestingly, he did not pursue justice of those police who brutally attacked the peaceful protesters. It makes you contemplate what it means to be justly punished and to be given a second chance. (For a Hollywood take on this, you should watch Inglorious Bastards.)
Moreover, Havel was a writer. During the communist regime, he wrote about all topics, in all genres, all the time while under the constant threat of imprisonment, interrogation and invasion of privacy. Unfortunately, many of those threats were successfully carried out against him.
(Credit: http://reason.com/assets/mc/ngillespie/2011_12/havel.jpg)
His works are only recently being published in other languages and we had met some of the translators at the event. I read one paragraph by him online and he radically changed my view about the workings of dictatorships. Much less simple than anyone has ever described it to me.
But, I digress. I am happy to have discovered an author who can really open my mind.
The motivation for holding this event was the recent passing of Václav Havel. He died the same day as Kim Jong Il. That really makes you wonder.
Speaking of Kim Jong Il, the event last Monday featured an anthropologist speaking about the people of Korea, their immigration patterns, and their opinions towards cultural differences between the North and South. It was followed by a short debate about how to deal with North Korea politically. Let's just say that anyone who thinks that, with the death of Kim Jong Il, North Korea is 'on the brink' of a revolution should probably read some Havel. Dictatorships survive through the extensive, powerful networks of class oppression, propaganda, and secret police, not the dictators, who themselves are essentially puppets.
(Credit: http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/12/19/C0044096-Korea_at_night,_satellite_image-SPL.jpg)
Again, I digress.
The point is this. Since getting to Rome, my mind has opened up completely. I have learned more in the past month than I ever could have imagined. I am finally meeting people outside the mid-west and outside my country. I look for inspiration in everything I see and I can usually find it. I have a new desire to learn about things I had never previously thought about or cared about. This is turning out to be an amazing educational experience and I am overly grateful that I have been given this opportunity. I will continue to make the best of every Euro I spend out of my and my parents' pocket, because I realize that I am fortunate enough to have a pocket to dig out of.
Why did I have to be in Rome for this all to happen? What does Rome have that Wisconsin doesn't? Is it the cobblestone streets? Is it the 2000 year old buildings? Is it the wine? ...Must be the wine.
