This adventure began with riding cable cars over La Paz and
ended with riding a mountain bike down Death Road. Even though I was a bit sick, it was a lot of
fun. But, I think we should also
remember why I chose to visit Bolivia.
This is the place that supplies the lithium we all need to
power our smartphones and other electronic devices we now consider a vital part of
our daily lives. As thoughtful global
citizens we must be aware of how our consumption habits affect our global
community. The people of Bolivia and its
neighboring South American countries have been exploited by the mining industry
for hundreds of years and things are not much different today.
I’m hoping you all took the time to watch the documentary video about Basilio Vargas and his life as a young miner in Potosi. I was moved by Basilio’s extraordinary effort
to go to school. He realized his education was the only way to provide
a good life for his family and himself.
The sad truth is that the life of a miner is very
short. Dangers are ever present in
the mines and those who are not killed in mining accidents will soon die of
lung decease. The miners know this and
they consider their short life as a sacrifice for their families and are proud
to be miners.
Basilio hopes to get an education and a better job in the
city. Unfortunately, most of those
working in the mines will never be able to do anything else. While the mines in Potosi are mostly mining
for silver, the mining of lithium has also taken advantage of South America’s indigenous
people.
We don’t usually think about young people like Basilio when
we text our friends or play games on our smartphones. We don’t always realize the power we have as
consumers and the effect our consumption habits have on our global
community.
It’s not just our smartphones. Who sewed the shirt you’re wearing? Who harvested the fruit you ate for lunch?
It’s not just our smartphones. Who sewed the shirt you’re wearing? Who harvested the fruit you ate for lunch?
I’m not suggesting we all get rid of our smartphones. I use mine everyday.
So, what should a good global citizen do? First, we must be aware. Now that we are aware, we should take action
as a global citizen. What actions? What are our options?
For more house points, give me your suggestions. We’ll be looking at your suggestion in my
Global Leadership class this year.
In the meantime, let’s reflect on what Basilio has told us
in the documentary video. Surely, there
is a lesson to be learned by his desire to get an education. But, I think I was most moved by what he said
at the end of the documentary. He longed
to broaden his horizon. He wanted to get
out of the mines and move to the city.
He wanted to see the world beyond Bolivia. He wanted to go to London and Paris. Basilio considered himself a global
citizen. He could see the opportunities
that his global citizenship offers.
We are all part of a global community but, you and I are
also part of the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy community and as part of
that community we recite our creed every morning before classes begin. Each verse of that creed has an important
message but, the verse that says “We are our brother’s keeper” is particularly
relevant here. We look after each other
on this campus. We must also remember that as global citizens our
brotherhood reaches around the world.
I would hope that you all embrace the values of our creed
and realize that we are also ambassadors to the world. I enjoy watching each of you mature into
competent young men and I eagerly wait to see how each of you will change the world.
