Solidarity. A concept in which beings of different races and beliefs join together to combat the problems that have polluted God's creation. A movement where people are one with each other, acting as a tidal force against those who believe in prejudice and hatred. And a labor union that defied odds in Poland during the Communist reigns in the nineteen eighties.
They are all correct definitions of what Solidarity is, but as with most concepts that seek to fortify, no one ever really commits to any definition of Solidarity. The hard truth about Solidarity is that it is used as an emergency net of sorts, only used when times of crisis are imminent. We Americans live in a place where Solidarity has become more taboo than an encouraged concept. On cell phones, iPods, BlackBerrys, whatever distractions they are, it can be said that American people seem to live more isolated and have a tendency to be less enthusiastic about meeting other people.
So what does Solidarity have to do with a trip to Guatamala? A lot. In fact, it's the basis of the trip. Two different people exchanging ideals and values and helping one another to gain knowledge and strength, a pretty good definition of Solidarity.
As I first thought of the trip a week before, I wondered, how will I communicate with these people? How will I help them? What difference do I make? It's an internal monologue most Americans make before a journey. But little did I know that I did not need to worry about these things. In fact, those questions are very easy to answer.
a) Communication was easy not because of a translator (but Josue deserves credit where it's due!), but through common ideas and doing things that expressed these ideas. One example is my friendship with our bus driver's son, Mike. He's about five years old and was very happy to meet each of us. So I decided to play with him on the beach in Guatamala. He started speaking Spanish, but I instantly knew what he was saying from his actions, his facial expressions and my willingness to learn. I think I learned more Spanish that day than any Spanish I class in high school could teach. It was just a connection I made with him that made me understand what he wanted, what he wanted to do and what he thought.
b) Helping the people was the greatest joy I had on the trip, because knowing hard work is going to common cause is always great. But it was also the familiar environment they brought to us and being there with kind hearts that made it even more enjoyable. The best experience was visiting the children in a small village nearby Chiquimulila and seeing their smiles light up the church we visited. Sure, it was visiting, and not planting trees or bagging food (we did that, too), but just visiting and making the effort to connect is big for them. They don't really have Americans coming down to play with them and exchange songs and stories. So just being there gave me the motivation to do something about their poverty.
c) One great part of the trip was the Sunday mass our group went to, and being thanked for our good deeds. But the most startling part was being called "The Nine Apostles". I didn't feel pride at that point, but just mainly the fact that we must've done something great to be compared to the Apostles. Any group of people can make more of a difference one person can, and it was great to be part of a group of apostles rather than being a single apostle. We did what we set out to do, and the people were very grateful.
So now as I go into Manhattan every morning, I can't help but point to the things Americans do that try to break away Solidarity. People yelling on their cell phones, smoking cigarettes and ignoring the people around them are only the few things I notice. It's very depressing to watch after the comfort of Guatamala. We were sent to teach American values to Guatamalans, but in honesty, Guatamalan values should be tought to Americans. As a group, if we can forget the differences and mistakes one has made and band together, we can commit to the definition of Solidarity. And you don't have to travel to a different country to realize that.
Saying hi to someone everyday, or talking with them about problems is the first step to connecting and building Solidarity. Simple things that just show the goodness of one's heart can make an impact on people, despite what you may feel at the time.
It's not hard to realize Solidarity, but at the same time, it is. Going to Guatamala opened my eyes to a world filled with hope, yet no promise, as I live in a country filled with promise, but barely any hope. We must share these two concepts between America and Guatamala to fully create a union that defines Solidarity. It's not just Guatamala, but countries like Sudan, Iraq, Cambodia and others that live in poverty need our promise of Solidarity. With Solidarity, the world can be one again, as it was when God created it.
-TJ
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