Journal 7
11/23/03
Durban
is a complex city. Many view it as their favorite, full
of culture,
entertainment, shopping. Others see the buisnesses,
the harbor, the
textile area. Our group took a week to work with Ground
Work, an
enviromental justice organization, looking at corporations
and their
position in this society. South Durban is where industry
has planted its
foot as next door neighbors to many people. Coming from
societies that
wouldn't allow such things to be within twenty feet
of our house, we saw
industry abusing its power with controling legislation,
not responding and
repairing damage done to those who don't have a choice
but to live there.
Our week with Ground Work introduced some of us to ideas
of corporate
responsibility and what is allowed in South Africa.
I
found myself challenged as a chemistry major. Thinking
about how I want
to utilize my major after college, I can't help but
consider industry. I
realized that if I don't want to support abuse of underdeveloped
countries, I need to understand not only what the company
is doing in my
own country, but how it treats people in other countries.
South Africa,
though it may be described as developing, is behind
in ideas of
enviromental issues. There is no regulation of emissions
in this country.
In order for them to encourage industrial development,
there will continue
to be a heavy lobby to not develop that policy.
I
did love Durban, it will be sad to leave tomorrow. While
learning about
the industry, I formed a relationship with the people.
My host mother
dressed us up in saris and her mother taught me to make
roti and somosas.
On my last night there, I was in the kitchen rolling
my first batch of
roti. I should explain they are a flat tortilla type
bread that is then
eaten with chicken or Dhall. It did feel somewhat exhausting,
host
families take a lot of energy. You can't always go home
and relax. But you
do get to know this country on a different level. I
don't understand
everything about the Indian community, but I do understand
South Africa
and their diversity a bit more. I only have one more
good-bye to say, and
that will be to this country. I think that bridge will
be crossed and
thought about when I come to it.
-Stephanie
Miller
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