Another tri-topic entry. Three days ago a bomb went off on a bus. Nobody knows much, but my guess is that it was the local gangs...One version of the story is that the driver didn't pay his "war taxes." It happened in the city, but on a bus headed for Palencia--a route that I've taken as recently as two weeks ago. Fortunately it was the work of amateurs and while four people ended up gravely injured, no one died. The use of a bomb was new--a scary development in a city already full of bullet holes.
Which leads me to the next topic--fear. Some people here (not all, but many) live in a constant state of fear. Not a rational fear, but a deep, unnerving sense that I think in large part comes from violence that can't be explained. It's one thing to say, "there was a gang related shooting and a gang banger died." As tragic as it is, there is the underlying feeling that there was a reason and that it is explainable, if not predictable. This is the kind of occurence that we point to when we tell our children "be home before midnight" or "don't hang out with the wrong crowd." The implication is that as long as you are good, hang out with the right people, say your prayers and do what is right, you'll be fine. But that's not how it is in Zona 18. Instead, it's violence that can't be explained--good people who for no apparent reason, end up on the nightly news. And it isn't just faceless strangers; it's the neighbors kid or your brother-in-law's best friend. And so people end up afraid--afraid to go out, afraid to speak up, afraid to report crime (this is a MAJOR problem), afraid to live their lives. I do believe, however, that the fear often surpasses the reality. Despite the dangers, I think that often times people give in to fear that is almost irrational. The most widely read newspaper doesn't help--pictures of the dead and dying and those weeping for them. The fear prevents people from acting--from banding together, from reporting crime, from reaching out to others. Every 17 year-old with spikey hair is treated far too seriously. The fear plays into the gangs' hands. Despite the danger of gang violence, I'm sure that far more people die in car wrecks (especially given how people drive around here) and yet no one is traumatized every time they hop in their car. I'm not advocating wrecklessness or bravado--just a different approach. 17 year kids with guns are still just 17 year old kids...Let's deal with the problem without the fear that plays into their hands.
Finally (gosh I'm feeling long-winded) consequences. It's been interesting lately with the school. We've been working on the functioning of teams. It's gone well with some of the groups. Basico teachers (whose students are 13-16) have done especially well. But it hasn't come without cost. Yesterday the group made the decision that one of the teachers needed to be fired. They had worked with this individual for three years, tried multiple times to get this teacher to function as needed and finally last week delivered an ultimatum that he either improve or find work elsewhere. The group was given the responsibility for smooth functioning and given the authority to implement this decision, due to my work here in the school. I spoke with the director and she agreed that it was something that should have happened long ago, but she just never had the heart to fire the guy. I'm glad to see the team take responsibility and make hard decisions. But it also makes me think that change never comes without pain. It makes me think about the consequences (good, bad, painful) of what I'm doing here. There will be sacrifices, but in the end I believe that a greater good will be served.
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