Reflections

Looking back on our first week of class and activities together, I feel very privileged to be part of a dynamic and inquisitive class. In only two short weeks we have made the transition into a new chapter of life and have shared personal accounts in class that encourage each person to examine his own beliefs, possibly even drawing one to form new resolutions. Gunperi spoke of the importance of positively representing her homeland to other countries, which is a strong part of the foundation to “relating” to other countries in the broad aspect of world politics. It is an element that I feel is central to a goal of better understanding, and as a result, more effective action among people in society to the benefit of all. It is we, the people, who collectively form a voting society that determines the rules and regulations and, therefore, how we live. We, consequently, have the responsibility to accurately represent and give justice to our country, striving to change and better that with which we do not necessarily agree. We really are not so different from each other in our quest for the knowledge that can help us solidify our visions and reach our objectives. In light of Labor Day, I think our class exemplifies the work force and the desire to achieve, which is a characteristic so defining of our country. The simple asking of a question in class, making of a statement, or the expression of a thought leads to a multitude of branches with different leaves that can all lead to revelations and new affirmations, in effect, the fuel for progression. Meeting with an RFK stadium executive and learning about the proposed plan for the Anacostian river led our class to ask questions and be actively engaged in a current event that is but one of similar issues in the larger scale of our world. The desire and willingness to learn and work in the respectful environment thus created, struck me as the cohesive binder amongst us.