Final Reflection

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?

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.