Today, the journey begins.
Or does it?
As I flew over the ocean today, it struck me that I am merely entering into the journey of others, one that has been going on for a long time. How can I, as a young American, possibly offer insight into building peace in a land I've spent just hours in?
On my flight, I was reading the book Country of My Skull and pondering how to approach my work here. The Senegalese poet Breyten Breytenbach is quoted on the subject of storytelling as saying, "you may not say it in a new way, you may not change it, because then you forge what has happened. You change history. If you are talented enough, you may add your own piece later...the more accurately you preserve the poetry, the better you perform, the better poet you are".
That is what I will strive for. As I go into communities, I want to preserve the integrity of their story. I want to enter history as it happened, and as it is still happening today. Maybe then, if I listen closely enough, I will add my own piece.
South Africa, I don't know yet what you have in store for me. But I enter with an open heart, open mind, and ears tuned to listen.
Until next time,
Lorien
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