Today was by far the worst day of the trip. I was supposed to attend a meeting of Affected Civil Society Action and Advocacy (ACSAA), an umbrella organization of local Alex HIV grassroots groups. Unfortunately, the meeting turned into a quasi-attack of researchers and anything western. We were called on to defend our country for policies that I do not agree with, so that’s a difficult spot to be in. The African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem also hijacked this meeting. They proselytized to us for about four hours explaining their own brand of spiritualism and belief system (but it’s not a religion-according to them). They also claimed that they could cure HIV and AIDS through vegetables. I appreciate all forms of belief, but these two individuals spent their time denouncing all structures and then using these same structures to bolster their argument. If you are going to take such a radical position you must adhere to the parameters of your argument.
This entire day reminds me of my time doing my undergraduate degree. I went to a small Catholic liberal arts school and classes often turned into forums for Catholic doctrine. Often differing views were not expressed or when expressed denounced as wrong (I’m not Catholic and not really Christian either). So I really have no patience for ‘discussions' where the opposing point of view is not offered a place in the debate. The worst part was that the meeting was denied any chance of being productive because the two African Hebrew Israelites dominated the agenda (we came to find out that this is a regular occurrence).
Now I’m at the mall using the Internet. I guess it’s true, when you’re down you cling to what you know. And in South Africa everything I know is at the mall: reliable Internet, books, groceries, and yes, capitalism.
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